Maria, Maria, Maria! Welcome back! The Russian photo op is showing signs of recovery. On Thursday, the second seed notched not one but two wins to make the quarterfinals.

Worthwhile developments and especially newsworthy scores after a packed day of action at Melbourne Park: FIVE-SET THRILLERS ABOUND The losses of Robin Soderling and Juan Carlos Ferrero (mentioned elsewhere on this blog) weren’t the only five-setters witnessed on a rather contentious Tuesday in Australia. Other extended wars dotted the landscape on the blue plexicushion courts [...]