Melbourne  - Hard economic times have not come down too hard on Serena Williams with the second seed making a lightning raid on a Chapel Street boutique.

But the world number two might have tipped her hand that even she might be feeling the heat as she bought a pair of items from a rack filled with merchandise marked down to half-price.

Melbourne, Australia  - Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian fans have threatened to ignite a Balkan boilover during early rounds at the Australian Open.

After a mini-riot on opening day in 2007, when 150 people were ejected from Melbourne Park and a police capsicum spray attack in the stands in 2008, this year's trouble was tame.

Tensions spilled over later at the beer tent with a few punches being thrown and several participants frog-marched out of the grounds by police officers.

Melbourne - Ana Ivanovic recovered after a brief second-set threat from Italian Alberta Brianti to earn a 6-3, 6-2 victory Wednesday and reach the third round of the Australian Open.

The Serb fifth seed, who won the French Open last year and briefly touched number one, remains just outside the discussion for the top spot by the end of the season's first major.

But her performance gave hope that she is preparing to climb back up the standings.

Melbourne  - Ana Ivanovic recovered after a second-set threat from Italian Alberta Brianti to earn a 6-3, 6-2 victory Wednesday to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

The Serb fifth seed, who won the French Open last year and briefly touched number one, remains just outside the discussion for the top spot by the end of the season's first major.

But her performance gave hope that she is preparing to climb back up the standings.

Melbourne - Lleyton Hewitt has vowed to fight on with his career after suffering a heartbreaking early exit at the Australian Open. The 27-year-old is ready to take his game to the American indoor courts next month after losing to Fernando Gonzalez.

With a ranking which will now stand close to 100 for the former number one and double Grand Slam champion, prospects admittedly look grim.

Melbourne - Spain's Fernando Gonzalez crushed the home hopes of Lleyton Hewitt as he dumped the former finalist out in the first round of the Australian Open 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Tuesday.

The second-day shock at Melbourne Park derailed the 27-year-old Hewitt's plans as he played his home major for the 13th time.

He had not lost in the first round at Melbourne Park since 2002. It is the first time since the 2000 Open that he has not been seeded at a Grand Slam.