Caroline Wozniacki advances, Mardy Fish shocked in Australian Open

Eighth-seeded American Mardy Fish became the biggest casualty in the men's singles draw while World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki overcame some nervous moments before joining fellow title contenders, Kim Clijsters and Li Na in the third round of women's single of the Australian Open here Wednesday.

Fish lost to Colombian Alejandro Falla 6-7(4-7), 3-6, 6-7(6-8). The eighth seed lost two tie-breakers to make a disappointing straight-sets exit, which marked the third straight year that he failed to advance beyond the second round in Melbourne.

World No.2 Rafael Nadal hardly had to sweat as he thrashed German veteran Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The Spaniard made 17 unforced errors to 38 of his opponent and finished the match in two hours and 29 minutes.

World No.3 Roger Federer of Switzerland advanced after his second-round opponent, German Andreas Beck, withdrew with a lower back injury.

China's Li Na charged into the third round of the women's section with a 6-2, 6-2 win over local player Olivia Rogowska at the Rod Laver Arena. Li, who lost last year's Australian Open final to Kim Clijsters, steamrolled the 20-year-old Australian in 62 minutes with some power hitting from the baseline.

However, Li's countrywomen Peng Shuai, the 16th seed, became a second-round casualty when she was upset in straight sets by Iveta Benesova from Czech Republic, 2-6, 4-6.

Italian 10th seed Francesca Schiavone also fell in her first loss to compatriot Romina Oprandi, who reached her maiden Open second round with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Clijsters and Wozniacki of Denmark, too, had little trouble making it to the third round. The Belgian beat France's Stephanie Foretz Gacon 6-0, 6-1, and the Dane got past Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-1, 7-6.

 Seventh seed Czech Tomas Berdych faced limited difficulties in dumping the 54th ranked Belgian Olivier Rochus. The world number seven needed just one hour and 54 minutes to wrap up victory in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, 7-6(7-4).

Australia's rising star Bernard Tomic started out slowly against the power serve of Sam Querrey, but diligently worked to put the American on the sidelines with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3 win.