MELBOURNE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Despite rain interruptions, a few scares and some grueling marathon matches, the big names made it through the second round of action at the Australian Open on Thursday, in front of a record crowd of 77,000 at the Melbourne Park Complex.
World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic had a big challenge on his hands against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but the Serbian was up to the task, winning in straight sets 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev also got through to the next round against Jeremy Chardy in a nail-biting five-set thriller 7-6 (5), 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (6), 6-1.
In other high profile men's matches, Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, who is coming off a recent tournament win at the Brisbane International, outlasted Ivo Karlovic in an epic five-set marathon 6-3, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (7), while last year's semifinalist Chung Hyeon couldn't quite replicate the magic of 2018, bowing out to Pierre-Hugues Herbert in four sets 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka also crashed out of the tournament in four sets against crafty Canadian Milos Raonic 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6-8), 6-7 (11), 6-7 (7), and Belgian talent David Goffin also made it into the third round, beating Marius Copil 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.
World No. 8 Dominic Thiem bowed out of the tournament after retiring injured against 19-year-old Aussie sensation Alexei Popyrin, with final scores of 7-5, 6-4, 2-0.
In the women's bracket, U.S. Open winner Naomi Osaka was too good for Tamara Zidansek, easing her way to a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
Women's world No. 1 Simona Halep survived a scare from Sofia Kenin after being down in the third set, to claim the match 6-3, 6-7 (5) 6-4.
Hard-hitter Karolina Pliskova overcame Madison Brengle after dropping the first set, to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.
Elise Mertens held on after a second set fightback from Margarita Gasparyan to win 6-1, 7-5.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina blasted her way into the third round at the expense of Viktoria Kuzmova, 6-4, 6-1.
23-time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams demolished Canada's Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2, while sister Venus also got through her match against Alize Cornet 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.
It was another strong day for Chinese talent in Melbourne, with Wang Qiang showing her skills in a straight-sets victory over Aleksandra Krunic, 6-2, 6-3.
Zhang Shuai also made it through to round three by outworking Kristyna Pliskova 6-3, 7-5 and experienced veteran Hsieh Su-wei was too good for Laura Siegemund, overcoming the German 6-3, 6-4.
