By Zjan Shirinian

Novak Djokovic made light work of Leonardo Mayer ©Getty ImagesJanuary 15 - The top seeds made light work of their opponents on day three of the Australian Open, as the searing Melbourne heat meant many were in a hurry to get off the court.


On a day when temperatures peaked at 41.5 degrees Celcius, and more complaints were made by players about having to compete in the harsh conditions, there were few surprises as the second round matches got underway.

Men's number two seed Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, swept aside Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

Spaniard and number three seed David Ferrer won 7-6, 5-7, 6-0, 6-3 against Adrian Mannarino of France.

Czech Tomas Berdych and Frenchman Richard Gasquet also won in straight sets.

Berdych beat Kennny De Schepper of France 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, and Gasquet defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women's draw, number one seed Serena Williams beat Serbian Vesna Dolonc 6-1, 6-2, while Li Na of China beat Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-0, 7-6.

Vesna DoloncIt was another hot day in Melbourne, as Vesna Dolonc proves in her second round match against Serena Williams ©Getty Images

But once again, as with day two at the Open, the heat was the main story.

Croatian Ivan Dodig said he feared he "could maybe even die" after battling Damir Dzumhur, before retiring with cramp in the fourth set. 

The decision on whether to suspend play rests with tournament director Wayne McKewen.

He uses a scale which takes into account temperature, humidity and wind - but so far play has not been stopped.

Day four at the open will men's top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain face Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in their second round clash.

Britain's Andy Murrary and Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, are also scheduled to play.

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