2011 Australian Open – Day 5

Things are beginning to take shape at the Australian Open as it reaches the halfway point. 

Women’s No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki made more waves in the press room than on the court.  Wozniacki had another straight set victory, this time over Dominika Cibulkova.  In the post-match press conference, however, Wozniacki really shined.  Rather than take questions, Wozniacki opened by stating she had heard that the media was claiming her press conferences were boring because she always gave the same answers.  Wozniacki responded by saying she always got the same questions.  She then went on to answer all the usual questions on her own before asking the press if there was something else they wanted to ask.  Wozniacki has clearly become No. 1 at handling the media just as she is ranked No. 1 on the court.  You can read the full transcript here. 

Elsewhere on the court, the lone remaining American woman, Venus Williams (4) retired after only 7 points in her match against Andrea Petkovic (30).  It is Williams first retirement in a major.  Williams injured her pelvic muscle in her 2nd round match against Sandra Zahlavova.  Petkovic will meet Maria Sharapova in the round of 16 after Sharapova defeated Julia Goerges in 3 sets.

Fransesca Schiavone (6), Victoria Azarenka (8), and Na Li (9) each won easily to advance.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (23) won against Justine Henin (11) for the first time ever in a Grand Slam event.

For the men, Roger Federer (2) cruises to a win over Xavier Malisse, while Novak Djokovic (3) had an even easier time when Viktor Troicki (29)retired after the 1st set.

No. 6 Tomas Berdych defeated No. 28 Richard Gasquet.  Andy Roddick (8) dropped a set in his win over Robin Haase, Fernando Verdasco (9) easily advanced over Kei Nishikori.

Stanislas Wawrinka (19) knocked off Gael Monfils (12) in straight sets.