Big guns progress in Melbourne but Raducanu dumped out    

The usual suspects are advancing through the first week of the Australian Open. Top seeds Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner both won their opening matches and are joined by veteran Novak Djokovic.

38-year-old Djokovic is bidding for a record-extending 25^th Grand Slam. His first two matches in Melbourne have been relatively impressive with straight sets victories for the Serb. It is the first time since 2023 that he hasn’t dropped any sets in the first two rounds.

In the woman’s draw, defending champion Madison Keys & world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round. However, British No.1 Emma Raducanu suffered a straight sets defeat to 55^th-ranked Anastasia Potapova in the second round. Raducanu has struggled for consistency since suffering a food injury in September and she will have to regroup in the wake of a disappointing ending Down Under.    

Wimbledon Champion Iga Swiatek is also through to the third round. She is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.