Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to compatriot Viktor Troicki during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2011. REUTERS

No. 3 Novak Djokovic's third-round match lasted only one set _ the 2008 champion was leading 6-2 when his Serbian Davis Cup-winning teammate Viktor Troicki retired with a stomach muscle strain.

Djokovic next plays No. 14 Nicolas Almagro, who beat No. 17 Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 7-6 (8), 6-3.

 

Andy Roddick of the U.S. celebrates his victory over Robin Haase of the Netherlands during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2011. REUTERS

Andy Roddick was having trouble countering Robin Haase in the first set before his powerful serve kicked in. He finished with 32 aces in a 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 win. No. 6 Tomas Berdych beat Richard Gasquet 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

 

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia celebrates during her match against Justine Henin of Belgium at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2011. REUTERS

Henin put up quite a fight against Kuznetsova, despite the constant pain in her elbow.

Kuznetsova twice had chances to serve out the match but Henin broke her both times. In a fluctuating tiebreaker, Kuznetsova was ahead 6-4 before Henin sent a service return skidding down the line and took the next point. She netted a forehand to give Kuznetsova another match point at 8-7 but again hit a powerful forehand service return winner.

Henin finally lost when she sent a forehand wide, giving Kuznetsova only her third win in 19 head-to-head meetings dating to 2003. She had nine double-faults and 41 unforced errors in an uncharacteristically sloppy performance.

"I know I'm not 100 percent _ I knew it before walking on the court," she said. "That's why I say there are no excuses.

"I decided to play not being 100 percent. It's been difficult in the last three days on my elbow and I just did everything that I could that it will be OK, but it wasn't enough."

The 2004 Australian Open champion said Kuznetsova was more aggressive, went to the net and hit more winners, so she deserved the victory.

Kuznetsova was relieved to get through in straight sets.

"I was not scared; I was not afraid when I went to the court. But of course I get tight," she said. "I kind of had a perfect match, 6-4, 5-4, serving.

"Then the nerves came. Then started to do a little bit of 'Show Time,' you know, it's like comedy _ women's drama going on.

"So I'm pretty pleased. It was like a lottery a little bit, the tiebreak."