World number two Rafael Nadal overcame Germany's Tommy Haas in straight sets to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Nadal, a 10-time grand slam champion, won 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours, 29 minutes to reach the last 32 of the tournament he won in 2009.
The Spanish left-hander will face either American Donald Young or Lukas Lacko of Slovakia in the third round.
Haas, a three-time semi-finalist in Melbourne, gave a reminder of his past glories with some great shot-making, particularly with his trademark one-handed backhand.
"He's a fantastic player and he's had a lot of injuries over the last couple of years and it's great to see him back," Nadal said.
Nadal, who again played with his right knee heavily bandaged after a pre-tournament injury scare, said he was happy with the knee's progress.
"It's much better and I'm happy with how the knee is improving and I played today without any problems," he said.
Haas, who reached the number two ranking in 2002 before a frustrating succession of injuries dropped his ranking to a current 190, had his opening two service games broken as Nadal began strongly.
Haas, at 33, is the oldest player in the men's singles draw at this year's Australian Open.
Meanwhile in the women's draw, world number one Caroline Wozniacki survived a second-set fightback from Georgia's Anna Tatishvili to reach the third round 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
The top-seeded Dane looked headed for an easy win when she raced through the first set but she had to hang on against the free-hitting Tatishvili to win in an hour and 49 minutes.
Wozniacki was pushed hard throughout the first set by Tatishvili, a player she has known since they were both 11 years old, and she never had it her own way despite the 6-1 scoreline.
"We played doubles together in juniors here once and I think we made the semi-finals -- she knows my game and I know hers," Wozniacki said.
ABC/AFP
Tags: sport, tennis, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted January 18, 2012 18:16:30
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