Mauresmo survives early scare in Australia

France’s Amelie Mauresmo recovered from a set down to charge into the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne today.

Mauresmo seemed to be wilting in the 95 degree heat as she surrendered the first set to Russian Dinara Safina in the Vodafone Arena.

The second seed hit back however to claim the second set 6-1 and breezed through the decider without dropping a game to advance to the last 32.

Mauresmo has failed to reach a grand slam final since losing to Martina Hingis here in 1999, but won five titles on the WTA tour last season.

Australian Open, Melbourne Park, Melbourne: Results:

Women’s Singles second round:

Vera Douchevina (Rus) bt (9) Vera Zvonareva (Rus) 6-3 6-3

Na Li (Chn) bt (28) Shinobu Asagoe (Jpn) 6-3 6-4, (21)

Amy Frazier (USA) bt Denisa Chladkova (Cze) 6-1 3-6 6-2

Evgenia Linetskaya (Rus) bt Martina Sucha (Svk) 6-2 6-0

Men’s Doubles first round:

Martin Garcia (Arg) & Mariano Hood (Arg) bt Michael Hill (Aus) & T Phillips (USA) 6-1 6-1

Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) & Sebastian Prieto (Arg) bt (7) Gaston Etlis (Arg) & Martin Rodriguez (Arg) 6-4 6-4

Chris Haggard (Rsa) & Robbie Koenig (Rsa) bt Justin Gimelstob (USA) & Graydon Oliver (USA) 3-6 6-2 6-3

Women’s Doubles first round:

Tathiana Garbin (Ita) & Tina Krizan (Slo) bt Jill Craybas (USA) & Marlene Weingartner (Ger) 6-3 7-5.