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.

"I was in this situation before French Open last year, coming into the tournament as pretty serious finalist," said the 2008 Melbourne runner-up to Maria Sharapova.

"That experience will help me a lot to approach this year's Australian Open.

"I'm very pleased I played better this match than in the first round. I hope I can still raise my level. When you come against top players or high ranked players, you automatically raise your level and your consistency. That's something that I can do.

"I know there is still lots of room for improvement. So that gives me confidence."

The Serb led the 169th-ranked Italian, 28, by a set and double break in the second, 3-0. But the challenger managed to get one break back before her form fell off to allow Ivanovic the win.

Third seed Dinara Safina, who could take over the top ranking spot from Jelena Jankovic with a title, kept her dream alive in a comeback against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-0.

Safina recovered thanks to seven breaks from ten chances against her compatriot.

Another Russian, 10th seed Nadia Petrova, stretched a run of form after illness, defeating India's Sania Mirza 6-3, 6-2.

In men's play, young Croatian Marin Cilic put out Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 a year after the Serb gave Roger Federer a scare in the third round.

Safina's big brother Marat Safin showed no signs of recent shoulder soreness, firing 18 aces and breaking five times to stop Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.

Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt in the 2005 final and has said this will be his last season after turning 29 later this month. (dpa)