From the Baseline: Australian Open day two

David Nalbandian of Argentina celebrates match point in his first round match against Lleyton Hewitt. Photo / Getty Images

The Herald on Sunday's Michael Burgess reviews all the action from the Australian Open's second day in Melbourne.

Hero of the day: While their men falter, the Australian women flew the flag proudly on day two with Sam Stosur and Alicia Molik recording convincing victories. Molik was particularly impressive, coming back from losing the first set 1-6 and being 2-4 in the third set. "It's amazing what you can do when you have no alternative," Molik said.

Villain of the day: Dinara Safina. Her 0-6 0-6 capitulation to Kim Cljisters was almost unforgiveable and another slap in the face for those who advocate equal prizemoney and status for the women's game. Just a little while ago the Russian was world number one; sure she has had a long layoff and injury problems but it is hard to imagine someone falling so far and so fast. A word for David Nalbandian who saved two match points - and near on 20 break points in sending Lleyton Hewitt out of the tournament.

Match of the day: There were some beauties today but Jo Wilfried Tsonga game against Philipp Petzschner had all the ingredients. Huge parochial court on the best arena in Melbourne Park - Margaret Court and so inspired tennis from both men. Watching Tsonga you wonder sometimes if his slow starts are intentional, such is the fervour he inspires when he whips up the crowd in one of his comebacks. For drama - and not necessarily quality - Nalbandian 4hr 48min battle with Hewitt went past 1am but was worth staying up for as the Argentine fought off cramp and match points to win.

Shot of the day: Match point down is one of the loneliest places in the world but Nalbandian found a way out - on two occasions. The first was spectacular, coming up with a serve and half volley from an impossible angle.

Quote of the day: "We were talking in the locker room, she's a good girl like that," said Kim Clijsters after the 6-0 6-0 demolition of Safina. "It's not like she is not going to talk to me for the next two months when I see her on the road."

Stat of the day: The media room is drowning in information and the latest report listed the time of the last ball that was hit across the net on each court. For day one, the action on Rod Laver finished on 11:09pm but that was not the latest finish; that honour belonged to the combatants on court 13, where the day session continued until 11:54pm.

Foodwatch: Back to basics with a Chicken Ranch burger (A$7.70) and wedges ($5.00). Stodge necessary to get through as the Hewitt-Nalbandian match progressed into early morning.

- Herald on Sunday