MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Sixth seed Ons Jabeur and former champion
Caroline Wozniacki fell victim to exciting young Russians in the Australian
Open second round Wednesday as Novak Djokovic prepared to resume his quest
for a 25th Grand Slam title.

The veteran pair were no match for Mirra Andreeva and Maria Timofeeva, who
emphatically stamped their mark on the opening Grand Slam of the year, which
was marred by rain on day four.

Andreeva, just 16, was in scintillating form to take down 29-year-old three-
time major runner-up Jabeur 6-0, 6-2 under the closed roof on Rod Laver Arena
in just 54 minutes.

"Probably it was the best match (ever)," said Andreeva, a schoolgirl who
burst onto the scene when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year
as a qualifier.

"The first set, I didn't expect that I would play this good. Second set was
also not bad. So, yes, for me it was an amazing match."

Her reward is a third-round clash against either France's Diane Parry or
fellow Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.

Timofeeva, a 20-year-old qualifier, was equally impressive against 2018
champion Wozniacki, who flew through the first set and was a break up in the
second.

Undeterred, Timofeeva, showing impressive power, hauled herself back into the
contest and ultimately prevailed against a player 13 years her senior,
winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.

"It was an honour to play here against Caroline today. I'm just beyond happy
and couldn't ask for more," she said after setting up a third-round meeting
with fellow qualifier Russian Alina Korneeva or 10th seed Beatriz Haddad
Maia.

With play on outside courts starting more than three hours late due to rain,
fourth seed Jannik Sinner was one of the fortunate few to be scheduled in one
of the three main arenas, which all have roofs.

The fourth-seeded Italian wasted no time in dispatching Dutch qualifier
Jesper de Jong 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena.

His next assignment in his bid for a maiden Grand Slam title will be against
Argentine 26th seed Sebastian Baez or Colombia's unseeded Daniel Elahi Galan.

- 'It is what it is' -

Djokovic headlines the night session on centre court against home hope Alexei
Popyrin, while fellow defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces her second
consecutive qualifier.

Serbian superstar Djokovic dropped a set against unheralded Croat Dino
Prizmic in his opening clash and will not want to do repeat the feat against
43rd-ranked Popyrin.

But the 10-time Australian Open winner heads into the match with lingering
concerns over his health after admitting he was "a bit under the weather"
against Prizmic.

"Look, it is what it is. You just have to try to deal with it and get over it
and accept the circumstances and try to make the most of it," he said.

Should he come through, the world number one will face a third-round clash
against veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils or Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry,
who ended Andy Murray's tournament.

Sabalenka will be on court ahead of Djokovic to face Czech Brenda
Fruhvirtova.

The powerful Belarusian second seed dropped just one game in obliterating her
first-round opponent, with Fruhvirtova set to face more of her wrath.

US Open champion Coco Gauff, last year's finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, and
fifth seed Andrey Rublev are also in action.