Rafael Nadal, the 2009 Australian Open champion, walks along the back of the court during his routine fourth-round victory over compatriot Feliciano Lopez on Sunday.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka, one of the favorites and a potential world No. 1 after this tournament, makes a forehand return to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their fourth-round match. Azarenka rolled past Benesova in straight sets Sunday.

Top-seeded pair Bob and Mike Bryan of the US celebrate after defeating Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins of Britain in their men's doubles third-round match.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland shadowed everything fourth-round opponent Julia Goerges of Germany could hit her way during a straight-set victory.

Spain's Feliciano Lopez had no answers for Rafael Nadal during their fourth-round match.

Iveta Benesova gave it her best shot against Victoria Azarenka, but it wasn't enough in the fourth-round loss.

Andy Murray of Great Britain somersaults on the court during his third round match against Michael Llodra of France. Murray won decisively 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the fourth round.

Gael Monfils of France reacts in his third-round match against Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open. Monfils rallied from two sets down, but lost in five to Kukushkin who moves on to face Andy Murray in the fourth round.

Serena Williams says she's still rusty, but she could have fooled us with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Greta Arn of Hungary in the third round.

As well as Novak Djokovic is playing, it doesn't seem like any ball can get past him on the court. At least, that seemed to be the case in his third-round rout of Nicholas Mahut.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic celebrates during her third-round victory over American Vania King on Saturday in Melbourne, Australia. Ivanovic won 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the first time since she reached the final here in 2008.

Vania King reaches for a backhand return during her third-round match against Ana Ivanovic. King, who upset 15th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round, couldn't repeat the feat against No. 21 Ivanovic.

Russia's Vera Zvonareva waves to the crowd as she leaves the court after her third-round loss to compatriot Ekaterina Makarova.

Grand Slam intensity shows as Sara Errani of Italy eyes a return during her third-round match against Sorana Cirstea of Romania. Errani dropped the first set in a tiebreak, then rallied to oust Cirstea.

Petra Kvitova mashes a forehand return during her third-round match against Maria Kirilenko. Kirilenko retired with a left thigh injury while trailing 6-0, 1-0 after 38 minutes of the match.

The always boisterous Maria Sharapova celebrates her third-round victory over Angelique Kerber of Germany with a guttural yell.

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga leaps into the air for a smash during his third-round victory over Portugal's Frederico Gil.

Australian teenager Bernard Tomic celebrates winning the third set in his third-round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine. Dolgopolov won the first set, but Tomic won sets two and three in tiebreaks.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium celebrates a point in her third-round match against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. Clijsters, the defending champion, reaches the fourth round where she could face Li Na, her opponent in last year's Aussie Open final.

Spain's Rafael Nadal makes a forehand return to Slovakia's Lukas Lacko during their third-round match at the Australian Open. Nadal continues to show no signs of injury as he cruises into the fourth round.

Slovakia's Lukas Lacko loses his cool after losing a point to Spain's Rafael Nadal during their third-round match at the Australian Open. Nadal beat Lacko 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round.

Roger Federer of Switzerland looks on in his third round match against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia.

Roger Federer of Switzerland lets out a yell following a shot during his third round match against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. Federer didn't stay frustrated for long, winning the match 7-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Croatia's Ivo Karlovic stretches on a forehand return to Switzerland's Roger Federer during their third-round match.

Spain's Feliciano Lopez celebrates a point against John Isner of the US during their third-round match at the Australian Open. Lopez won the match in five sets to reach the fourth round.

American John Isner shows his disappointment to a lost point during his third-round match against Spain's Feliciano Lopez. Isner lost the match in five sets leaving the Americans without a player in the Australian Open round of 16 for the first time in Open era.

Romania's Monica Niculescu makes a forehand return to Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki during their third-round match at the Australian Open. Top-seed Wozniacki had little trouble with Niculescu winning the match 6-2, 6-2.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki reaches for a backhand return to Romania's Monica Niculescu during their third-round match. The top-seeded player notched a straight-set win and will play Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round.

Nina Bratchikova of Russia reacts during her loss to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic. Benesova won the third-round contest 6-1, 6-3.

No. 3 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Mona Barthel of Germany during their third-round match at the Australian Open.

Vera Zvonareva of Russia receives treatment during a medical time out in her second-round match against Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic. The injury didn't stop Zvonareva from defeating Hradecka to reach the third round.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France celebrates winning his second-round match against Ricardo Mello of Brazil.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France obliges his screaming fans and throws his shirt to the stands after defeating Brazil's Ricardo Mello in Thursday's second-round match.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France throws a racket as he plays Brazil's Ricardo Mello during their second-round match. The entertaining Tsonga won in straight sets and will face Portugal's Frederico Gil in the third round.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany reacts after a point in his second-round match against the big-serving Milos Raonic of Canada.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany probably received business cards from Melbourne dentists after this reaction to a point in his second round match against Milos Raonic of Canada.

Ryan Sweeting of the US was able to hang with the gutsy Spaniard David Ferrer during their second-round match. But the Spanish veteran pulled off the five-set win sending the American packing.
 

Serena Williams of the US shakes hands with Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic following their second-round match at the Australian Open. This win was Williams' 500th.
 

Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates winning her second-round match against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic. Williams battled injuries coming into the Australian Open, but so far hasn't showed any signs of weakness dominating her first two matches.

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia serves during her second-round match against Michaella Krajicek. The former French Open winner has quietly grabbed a spot in the third round where she'll face American Vania King.

Russia's Vera Zvonareva hits a forehand return to Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic during second-round play. Zvonareva, a semifinalist in Melbourne last year, will play fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the third round.

Maria Sharapova of Russia blows kiss to the crowd after beating Jamie Hampton of the US during their second-round match.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, right, and Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands meet at the net following their second-round match. Ivanovic reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Krajicek.
 

Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic makes a backhand return to Russia's Vera Zvonareva during their second-round match.

Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia and Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States talk tactics in their first-round doubles match against Nina Bratchikova of Russia and Darija Jurak of Croatia. Gajdosova and Mattek-Sands won in three sets.

Spain's David Ferrer looks to make a backhand return to Ryan Sweeting of the US. The No. 5 seed Ferrer had a tough time against Sweeting, but took the match in five sets to reach the third round.

American John Isner celebrates after winning his second-round match against former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian of Argentina. Isner, known for playing lengthy matches, didn't disappoint in this five-set thriller that last nearly five hours.

David Nalbandian of Argentina speaks to Andreas Egli, a umpire supervisor, after a controversial call was made by the chair umpire during his second-round match against John Isner. Isner won the five-set match, but the call in question may have made the difference.

Germany's Tommy Haas found out what so many before him have learned: When Rafael Nadal (pictured) is in a groove, your tournament will be over soon. In Wednesday's Round 2, the second-seeded Rafa made very short work of Haas, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 despite battling a knee injury.

Talk about taking it tough. Bafore exiting Rod Laver Arena following his loss to Nadal on Wednesday, Haas takes off his shirt. He is 0-5 all time against Nadal, swept each time. Hope he has a lot of shirts.

Haas (white shirt) congratulates Nadal following their match.

Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark signs autographs for fans after beating Georgia's Anna Tatishvili during their second-round match. Wozniacki advanced 6-1, 7-6 (4).

Wozniacki gets to a ball during her match Wednesday.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium salutes the crowd after defeating Stephanie Foretz Gacon of France 6-0, 6-1 in the second-round match on Wednesday. Soon after, the crowd then showed its thanks to Clijsters.

Along with sporting signs supporting Clijsters, the crowd after Wednesday's match sang 'Happy Birthday' to Clijsters' sister at the 11th-seeded Belgian's request. It may be difficult to find a more beloved non-Australian at Melbourne during the tournament.

Round 2. Straight sets. American Mardy Fish probably did not envision those four words explaining the way his 2012 Australian Open would end, but thanks to Colombian Alejandro Falla, that is exactly what happened. The No. 8 seed was done in a three-hour sweep, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Falla was aggressive all day Wednesday in making short work of Fish. And once he got inside Fish's head (Fish was impatient with one ball boy and complained to the chair umpire several times about Falla getting a trainer), the match was all but over.

Li Na of China returns a ball to Australia's Olivia Rogowska during their second-round match. The reigning French Open champ won with ease, 6-2, 6-2.

Like Clijsters, Li gives thanks to the crowd after her victory on Wednesday.

Hopefully Rogowska enjoyed the taste of the Open because her stay lasted only three days thanks to Li.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic surrendered only one game in the first two sets against Olivier Rochus of Belgium on Wednesday, then won the final set in a tiebreaker for a 6-1, 6-0, 7-6 (4) sweep.

In a match that began near midnight local time, Serena Williams shows no lack of strength against first-round opponent Tamira Paszek of Austria.

Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia celebrates after winning his first-round match against Cedrik-Marcel Stebe of Germany. Hewitt fought back from 1-5 in the fourth set to win the match. He will face longtime rival Andy Roddick in the second round.

Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci reacts in his first round match against Dudi Sela of Israel during day two of the 2012 Australian Open. Bellucci must have been amped up, winning the match in straight sets. He'll face Gael Monfils in the second round.

American teenager Madison Keys shows disappointment during her first-round match against Jie Zheng of China on Day 2 at Melbourne Park. Keys lost in straight sets.

After dropping the first set, Andy Murray takes out American Ryan Harrison 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

David Ferrer of Spain makes quick work of Rui Machado of Portugal, cruising to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win.

No. 27 seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia deserves some praise after eliminating Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia in straight sets.

Fourth seed Maria Sharapova blasts a backhand during her 6-0, 6-1 win over Gisela Dulko on Tuesday.

Second seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic shows off her nimbleness, tracking donw this shot during her 6-2, 6-0 win over Vera Dushevina of Russia.

All eyes are on top seed Novak Djokovic, who rolls past Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. Djokovic's only loss at a Grand Slam tournament last year was in the French Open semifinals.

Novak Djokovic is seeking his third Australian Open title after winning his first major in Melbourne in 2008.

World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates a point in her first-round match against Australia's Anastasia Rodionova. Wozniacki won the last match of the day on Rod Laver Arena 6-2, 6-1.

Roger Federer serves in his first-round match against Russia's Alexander Kudryavtsev at Melbourne Park. Kudryavtsev was no match for the four-time Australian Open winner who won easily in three sets.

Former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia plays a forehand in her first-round match against qualifier Laura Robson of Great Britain. Jankovic dominated the match to win 6-2, 6-0.

No. 16 seed John Isner had little trouble with Benjamin Mitchell of Australia during their first-round match. The big-serving American will have a tougher time in the second round where he'll face former Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts has reason to shout, becoming the first player to advance in the 2012 Australian Open after defeating Britain's Heather Watson 6-1, 6-0 in Monday's Day 1 at Melbourne Park.

Watson's forehand looks good on a still frame, but it had little effect against Azarenka, with the Brit taking only one game in the match.

Azarenka has more than a match, or even a slam, on her mind. She is one of six players with a chance to claim the world's No. 1 ranking with an Australian Open championship.

Spain's Fernando Verdasco was grooving in the initial sets against Aussie Bernard Tomic, taking sets 1 & 2, 6-4, 6-7. But Tomic rode the home crowd after that and gave Verdasco reason to sweat, sweeping the final three sets 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.

Australia's Bernard Tomic waves to the home crowd in celebration after defeating Fernando Verdasco in the first round at the Australian Open. Verdasco was seeded 22nd.

Tomic (white shirt) and Verdasco share one last moment after the most exciting match of the opening day's early matches. It was the first time since 2004 that Verdasco did not advance out of the first round in Melbourne.

American Varvara Lepchenko gets attention from a trainer during her match with Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova. Lepchenko took the No. 20 seed to three sets, but ultimately fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

China's Li Na also battled heat, wrapping an ice towel around her face during her first-round match against Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan. Once back out on the court, the French Open champ was masterful, winning 6-3, 6-1.

Russia's Nikolay Davdenko reacts to the chair umpire during his first-round match against Italy's Flavio Cipolla. Despite his pleas, Davdenko ultimately fell as Cipolla won one of the tournament's first five-setters 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, known for her outlandish get-ups as well as her game, looked to take control early against eight-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland with a 7-6 (10) first-set tiebreak win. But Radwanska swept the final two sets 6-4, 6-2 to take the match.

Germany's Tommy Haas reacts during his first-round match against Denis Kudla. Haas won 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-0, 7-5.

Italy's Flavia Pennetta reacts to a lost point to Russia's Nina Bratchikova during their first-round match. The 19th-seeded Pennetta lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.

China's Li Na makes a backhand return during her first-round match against Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan. The No. 5 seed Li lost just four games in the rout.