Svetlana sends out message of intent

Svetlana Kuznetsova proved that she is far from a false number two seed at the Australian Open, dismissing France’s Nathalie Dechy in straight sets today – and sounding a warning to her rivals.

The 22-year-old, who has by far the easier half of the draw, looked untroubled in seeing off the former Australian Open semi-finalist on Rod Laver Arena in a little over an hour, 6-3 6-1.