MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Top seed Serena Williams and her older sister Venus led a foursome of American women into the Australian Open fourth round yesterday, while men’s top seed Novak Djokovic survived a nervous start to overcome a feisty Fernando Verdasco.
It is the first time four women from the traditional tennis powerhouse, which has relied on the Williams sisters for much of their grand slam success in the past decade, have made the last 16 at a major since Roland Garros in 2013.
The sisters were joined in the last 16 by the two Madisons – Brengle and Keys – who will play each other – with the 19-year-old Keys upsetting twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-4 7-5 in the last match of the day.
“I think my hands are still shaking,” said Keys, who is coached by former number one Lindsay Davenport. “I’m excited to play Maddie in the next round.”
Twice champion Victoria Azarenka also advanced after a 6-4 6-4 victory over 25th seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and will now meet last year’s beaten finallist Dominika Cibulkova.
FEDERER SHADOW
With Roger Federer’s surprise exit on Friday still hanging over the tournament, the men’s favourites had some nervous moments in their third round clashes on Saturday.
Djokovic was forced into a first set tiebreak by former top-10 player Verdasco, while fifth seed Kei Nishikori also dropped the first set tiebreak before he beat Steve Johnson.
Johnson and 19th-seed John Isner, who was beaten by Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, were the last American men in the singles competition, though North America will be represented in the fourth round by Canada’s Milos Raonic.
