The women's top seed Caroline Wozniacki thanked Roger Federer for roaring through his match and allowing her a decent night's sleep after she crushed local hope Anastasia Rodionova 6-2 6-1 at the Australian Tennis Open.
Marathon tussles in the night session at Rod Laver Arena have often left players battling away into the early hours but Federer's straight-sets defeat of qualifier Alex Kudryavtsev meant a relieved Wozniacki could complete her match well before midnight.
Wozniacki, criticised for being number one without a grand slam title to her name, will lose the top ranking if she fails to make the fourth round here.
She at least has no concerns about her fitness after shrugging off a wrist injury she sustained at the Sydney International warmup event.
The top seeds largely came through yesterday unscathed in Melbourne with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Li Na and Wozniacki all winners on day one.
Australian teenager Bernard Tomic was involved in the match of the day, fighting back from two sets down to beat 22nd seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a 5-set thriller.
