MELBOURNE, Australia – The latest from the Australian Open on Thursday (all times local):
4:20 p.m.
Andy Murray maintained his perfect record against Australian opponents when he defeated Sam Groth 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 Thursday, his 17th consecutive win against players from Down Under.
He also kept up his nearly perfect record of beating players at their home Grand Slam, moving to 13-1 — his only loss to a player in their home major was to Gael Monfils at the 2006 French Open.
The four-time Australian Open finalist advanced to the third round for the eighth time. He won the 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Wimbledon.
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2:38 p.m.
Victoria Azarenka has quickly dispatched another opponent at Melbourne Park, defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.
The two-time Australian Open champion hasn't given up more than three games in any of the 14 sets she has played this year, including her run to the title at the Brisbane International two weeks ago.
She beat Alison Van Uytvanck 6-0, 6-0 in the first round at Melbourne Park.
"I really don't count the games," she said after Thursday's match. "What really works for me is to stay in the moment. It keeps me focused."
Azarenka next plays Japan's Naomi Osaka, who has reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a win over the 18th seed, Elina Svitolina.
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2:26 p.m.
Third-seeded Garbine Muguruza had a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kirsten Flipkens to reach the third round of the Australian Open for the third straight year.
Muguruza, who lost last year's Wimbledon final to Serena Williams, made it to the fourth round in 2014 and 2015 at Melbourne Park. Last year, Williams beat the Venezuelan-born Spaniard in the fourth round here.
Muguruza will next play Barbora Strycova, who beat American Vania King 7-6 (5), 6-4.
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1:50 p.m.
John Isner is back in the third round at Melbourne Park for the fifth time in seven years following a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) win over Marcel Granollers of Spain.
The 10th-seeded Isner had 20 aces and 53 winners in the match, and also won 33 of his 44 approaches to net.
He was one of eight Americans through to the second round at the Australian Open — the most since 2008. Four other Americans are playing their second-round matches on Thursday.
Isner has only been past the third round once before in Melbourne. He faces the winner of the match between Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Guido Pella of Argentina.
Isner lost to Lopez in the third round in 2012.
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12:50 p.m.
Ana Ivanovic has advanced to the third round at Melbourne Park following a 6-3, 6-3 win over qualifier Anastasija Sevastova in a match that was suspended when a spectator fell on the stairs at Rod Laver Arena.
Ivanovic was up a service break and leading 4-3 in the first set when medical personnel rushed to the woman's aid in the upper level of the 15,000-seat stadium. Tournament organizers said the woman was treated in the stadium before taken away on a stretcher for observation and further treatment.
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12 noon.
Play was suspended on Rod Laver Arena early Thursday when a spectator fell on a stairwell in the upper level of the 15,000-seat stadium.
Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic was up a service break and leading qualifier Anastasija Sevastova 4-3 in the first set of their third-round match when play was stopped to allow medical personnel to come to the aid of the spectator. No other details were immediately available.
When play resumed after a half-hour delay, Ivanovic held serve for a 5-3 lead.
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11:40 a.m.
Misty rain has briefly delayed the start of play on outdoor courts at the Australian Open.
Play has begun on the three main stadiums with roofs at Melbourne Park, including the opening match on Rod Laver Arena between 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and qualifier Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.
Margaret Court Arena was hosting an all-French third-round match Thursday between Gael Monfils and Nicolas Mahut, while American John Isner, the 10th-seed player, took on Marcel Granollers of Spain at Hisense Arena.
Andy Murray was set to open night play at Margaret Court Arena against Australian Sam Groth, while Lleyton Hewitt was to play David Ferrer in what could be the Australian veteran's last match before retiring.
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