Aussie-free day at Open - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Aussie-free day at Open

By Sam Lienert 18/01/2006 05:48:55 AM Comments (0)

Former Australian Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne and American men's second seed Andy Roddick headline an Aussie-free day in singles at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Eighth seeded Belgian Henin-Hardenne, who won the tournament in 2004, is expected to make light work of Czech Hana Sromova in the second match on Rod Laver Arena.

And Roddick is just as heavily favoured against South African Wesley Moodie, in the following match.

Russian glamour girl Maria Sharapova, who allayed concerns over a shoulder injury with an easy straight sets win over German Sandra Kloesel in the first round, will play her second round match on Wednesday night.

She meets American Ashley Harkleroad.

Argentinian fourth seed David Nalbandian, who had a much tougher fight to make it through the first round with a five-set win over Thai qualifier Danai Udomchoke, also plays on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night against Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

One of the tighter matches of the day is likely to be the clash on Margaret Court Arena between 2002 champion and 10th seed Thomas Johansson, of Sweden, and Belgian veteran Xavier Malisse.

While none of the four Australians left in the singles draw are scheduled to play, there will be plenty of locals involved in the first round of doubles.

A total of 17 Australians will play women's and men's doubles matches, including seven all-Australian teams, and three players teaming up with overseas partners.

Three Australians who won singles matches on Tuesday - Peter Luczak, Nathan Healey and Samantha Stosur - are fronting up in the doubles Wednesday.

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