MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic delivered a stinging lesson in the realities of grand slam tennis to young American Ryan Harrison on Wednesday and warned the next generation they need to work harder to break into the top ranks.

The steely-eyed Serb’s campaign for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles kicked into overdrive in the late match at Rod Laver Arena, as he demolished the highly-fancied 20-year-old 6-1 6-2 6-3 to charge into the third round.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – A rampaging Maria Sharapova became the first player in 28 years to dole out consecutive double-bagels at a grand slam on Wednesday, but said her tally of major titles was the only statistic worth worrying about.

The second seed left opponent Misaki Doi of Japan struggling to hold back tears after a 6-0 6-0 humiliation completed in 47 minutes at Hisense Arena, two days after inflicting the same scoreline on fellow Russian Olga Puchkova in the first round.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – A rampaging Maria Sharapova became the first player in 28 years to dole out consecutive double-bagels at a grand slam on Wednesday, but said her tally of major titles was the only statistic worth worrying about.

The second seed left opponent Misaki Doi of Japan struggling to hold back tears after a 6-0 6-0 humiliation completed in 47 minutes at Hisense Arena, two days after inflicting the same scoreline on fellow Russian Olga Puchkova in the first round.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Asia’s failure to produce a male grand slam singles champion is a wrong that needs to be righted, according to Kei Nishikori, and the Japanese trailblazer has made it his mission to be first to clinch a major trophy for the continent.

The slender 23-year-old has a history of breaking new ground, his electrifying quarter-final run at last year’s Australian Open making him the first Japanese man in the last eight at Melbourne Park in 80 years.

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) – Asia’s failure to produce a male grand slam singles champion is a wrong that needs to be righted, according to Kei Nishikori, and the Japanese trailblazer has made it his mission to be first to clinch a major trophy for the continent.

The slender 23-year-old has a history of breaking new ground, his electrifying quarter-final run at last year’s Australian Open making him the first Japanese man in the last eight at Melbourne Park in 80 years.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Wu Di’s Australian Open adventure lasted little more than three hours with a first-round exit on Tuesday, but China’s first man to play the main draw of a grand slam in the professional era relished every minute of his debut on a windswept minor court.

Wu won a playoff in Nanjing to secure a wildcard for the tournament and went down fighting 7-5 4-6 6-3 6-3 to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig in front of a smattering of boisterous fans on court eight.

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Wu Di’s Australian Open adventure lasted little more than three hours with a first-round exit on Tuesday, but China’s first man to play the main draw of a grand slam in the professional era relished every minute of his debut on a windswept minor court.

Wu won a playoff in Nanjing to secure a wildcard for the tournament and went down fighting 7-5 4-6 6-3 6-3 to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig in front of a smattering of boisterous fans on court eight.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Searing heat forecast to hit Melbourne Park’s second round matches on Thursday holds no fear for Roger Federer, who welcomed the chance to test his 31-year-old body in extreme conditions.

The Swiss maestro played his opening match of the Australian Open in far gentler weather on Tuesday, trouncing France’s Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 6-1 on a sun-drenched afternoon at Rod Laver Arena.

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Searing heat forecast to hit Melbourne Park’s second round matches on Thursday holds no fear for Roger Federer, who welcomed the chance to test his 31-year-old body in extreme conditions.

The Swiss maestro played his opening match of the Australian Open in far gentler weather on Tuesday, trouncing France’s Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 6-1 on a sun-drenched afternoon at Rod Laver Arena.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia’s traditional love of the underdog and admiration for sporting battlers garnered plenty of support for Briton Andy Murray during his long wait for grand slam success.

However, the Scot’s U.S. Open triumph last September has snuffed out some of the good will at Melbourne Park this year, with Australians having grown weary of sporting success from their former colonial masters.