The two Chinese-born Australians who have been stuck behind bars for years in China have had their sentencing delayed, resulting in a fresh blow to hopes of their release.
Eighth-seeded Saina Mirza and Anna Danilina defeated the unseeded American-Hungarian team of Dalma Galfi and Bernarda Pera 6-2, 7-5 in 1 hour, and 17 minutes.
India condemned the vandalization of Hindu temples in Australia and said that the matter has been raised with the Australian government in Canberra and asked for expeditious investigation against the perpetrators.
The three-time Melbourne semifinalist was in command for the entirety of the one-hour, 32-minute matchup with Hijikata. With his aggressive ball-striking, he consistently outmatched the World No. 169, hitting 30 winners on the Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff won the match by a comfortable margin of 6-4, 7-6(4). She will be facing Bernarda Pera in her next, with the winner of the clash advancing to the pre-quarters stage of the tournament.
The sixth seed rallied from a set down to win on Margaret Court Arena with scores of 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, keeping him alive in his quest to top his quarterfinal performance from Melbourne last year.