Federer, Azarenka advance at scorching Aussie Open

MELBOURNE, Australia – Roger Federer kept his cool on a scorching second day at the Australian Open, starting his record 57th consecutive Grand Slam tournament with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory in his first match with Stefan Edberg as a coach.

Federer was the second match on Rod Laver Arena today, and the temperature topped 106 degrees Fahrenheit during his win over Australian wild-card entry James Duckworth.

Two-time defending women’s champion Victoria Azarenka played the previous match on the center court at Melbourne Park, and said it felt “pretty hot, like you’re dancing in a frying pan or something like that.”

After her 7-6 (2), 6-2 win over No. 91-ranked Johanna Larsson of Sweden, Azarenka went back out to practice and said she planned an ice bath later as a recovery.

As well as the heat, there were injuries and retirements. No. 13 John Isner, the only seeded American man in the draw, retired after losing the first two sets 6-2, 7-6 (6) against Martin Klizan. Isner attributed it to the same right ankle problem that bothered him on the way to the title at Auckland, New Zealand last week.

Among the other men advancing were No. 10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 11 Milos Raonic, No. 22 Grigor Dimitrov and No. 16 Kei Nishikori.