"serena-williams"

The 24-year-old Podoroska took a 5-2 lead in the second set but was broken at love the first time she tried to serve out the match.

While Nadal and Federer holds the record for most Grand Slam titles in men's singles, Margaret holds the record for most titles in women's singles with 24

The Japanese sets up summit clash with Jennifer Brady.

"Then I sort of eased my way into it. For me, I think the biggest thing is just having fun and it's the first day having the crowd in a while ... it's always an honour to play her. I just didn't want to go out like really bad, so I just wanted to try my best."

The 39-year-old defeated Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at the Rod Laver Arena, and as a result, she remains in a chance of winning yet another Grand Slam.

"I came out a little bit not (out) of the starting blocks like I would have wanted to and like I have been since I've been playing here, but you know it's about surviving and playing better every round," Williams said after the match.

Thiem eases into third round but Wawrinka, Venus Williams make early exits.

Williams outclassed Serbia's Nina Stojanovic 6-3, 6-0 in the second round and she wrapped up an easy straight-sets victory.

The victory marked the start of Williams' latest bid for a record-tying 24th major title. As she left the court she flexed her biceps, and later she donned a T-shirt that read “Unstoppable Queen.”

This is Nadal's first chance to grab sole possession of the men's mark for most Grand Slam singles titles.

No. 3-ranked Osaka pulled out of her Gippsland Trophy semifinal against Elise Mertens, citing a "niggling injury."

Barty and Williams both said they're looking forward to the match, despite the close proximity to a major.

Williams has been stalled on 23 major singles titles since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was two months' pregnant with now-three-year-old daughter Olympia and when she beat her sister Venus in the final.

Some players complained bitterly after being forced into hard lockdown because passengers on their charter flights to Melbourne tested positive for Covid-19

All the world's top players have signed on, led by world number ones Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty

"The lady has no idea that it’s my daughter so we’ll see how that goes."