Defending champion Novak Djokovic hit top gear in a sparkling Australian Open performance on Wednesday as former winners Roger Federer and Marat Safin set up the clash of the third round. Taiwan's Lu Yen-Hsun produced the biggest shock so far in ousting 10th seed David Nalbandian, while America's Andy Roddick made unexpectedly slow progress past 195th-ranked Xavier Malisse.
Spanish number two David Ferrer, Croatia's Marin Cilic and Czech player Tomas Berdych also made it through along with Argentina's rising star Juan Martin del Potro. Djokovic was in irresistible form against Jeremy Chardy of France, winning 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 as he shrugged off an indifferent start to the year.
Rival groups of fans taunted each other during Delic's match with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu, raising fears of a return of sectarian rioting which marred the last two editions. "Today was bad when the other (fans) came across - I'm just hoping with Novak that it doesn't turn into World War III," Delic said.
Meanwhile Federer, seeking a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam, turned on the style against qualifier Evgeny Korolev to set up a mouth-watering third-round clash with long-time foe Safin. The two former number ones, who have never played so early at a Grand Slam, have a memorable history here with Federer winning the 2004 final but being ousted in a classic semi by Safin a year later.
"We go way back. Him, of course, being a former number one, same as me, and a former Grand Slam champion, it's an intriguing match-up," Federer said. Federer has won their previous three meetings, including last year's Wimbledon semi-final, and holds a 9-2 record against the Russian. Safin also said he was relishing Friday's clash, which promises to be the pick of the third round.
"Unfortunately I haven't won a lot of matches against him, but I'm looking forward to it," said the Russian, who beat Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. Seventh seed Roddick, 26, is desperate to be a genuine contender once again but ran into a roadblock in Malisse before winning in four sets.
Ferrer had no such trouble against Slovakian veteran Dominik Hrbaty, while Cilic's potential flashpoint match against Serbian Janko Tipsarevic passed off peacefully. Tommy Robredo, Mardy Fish and Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka were the other seeds through and there were also wins for 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis and Robin Soderling of Sweden. World number one Rafael Nadal is in the other half of the draw along with British hope Andy Murray, with both in action on Thursday.
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