Melbourne, Jan 20 (IANS) World No. 6 Andrey Rublev of Russia stormed into the third round of the Australian with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 win over Lithuanian No. 93 Ricardas Berankis at Melbourne Park Open on Thursday.

After spending an hour and 24 minutes on the court against Italy’s Gianluca Mager in the opening round, last year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist needed just an hour and 47 minutes to edge past his Lithuanian opponent at the Kia Arena.

Breaks in the opening game of each set gave the fifth seedling an easy afternoon, and a dominant service performance brought those advantages home.

The 24-year-old had spoken of feeling “double pressure” after a COVID-related layoff earlier in the year but has settled well with six dominant sets to start his new year.

On Thursday, Rublev’s power on serve and return wore down the world No. 93, eventually paving the way for a third-set knockout.

Rublev will now turn his attention to his opponent in the third round, 27th seed Marin Cilic of Croatia, who defeated Slovakian qualifier Norbert Gombos 6-2 6-3 3-6 7-6 (6). .

A four-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, including in Melbourne a year ago, Rublev is chasing his first career Slam semifinal in these two weeks.

-IANS

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