( CNN ) This was no ordinary second-round match for Serena Williams at the Australian Open , even though her opponent was ranked outside the top 200 . Williams faced Vera Zvonareva , whose slide in the tennis world the previous two years could largely be attributed to injury and illness . The crafty Zvonareva is a former world No . 2 -- and took on Williams on a much grander stage , the Wimbledon final , in 2010 . Zvonareva was still a heavy underdog Thursday and playing without pressure , built up three set points on the Williams serve at 5-3 in the first set . Trouble for the world No . 1 . But just as Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal stepped up when their backs were against the wall Wednesday , so did Williams . She erased all three of the set points to hold . It was the start of a 10-game run that propelled the 18-time grand slam winner to a 7-5 6-0 win on the first day of sweltering conditions -- temperatures reached almost 36 degrees Celsius in Melbourne -- at the year 's opening major . `` Things really clicked , '' Williams told reporters . `` I had no other option but for things to click . I just had to start playing better . '' Williams dropped just eight points in the second set , an ominous sign for her third-round foe , Elina Svitolina . Williams ' older sister , Venus , also progressed to the third round by crushing fellow American Lauren Davis 6-2 6-3 . Serena said she continues to draw inspiration from Venus , who was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease , Sjogren 's Syndrome , in 2011 . `` She 's like , 'Yeah , if I win it 'll be great . If not , I 'm not going to worry about it , ' '' Serena said . `` I think that 's a great attitude because it takes a lot of pressure off of you . `` She 's done so much in her career . She does n't have to win another match . The same thing for me . As long as we can kind of look at it that way , then we both will do really well . '' Another marquee second-round clash saw two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka tangle with U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki . After a close first set , the rejuvenated -- and healthy -- Azarenka won 6-4 6-2 and celebrated by dancing on court . She 's on course to tangle with Williams in the quarterfinals . Last year 's Wimbledon champion , Petra Kvitova , beat Germany 's Mona Barthel 6-2 6-4 . Kvitova is one of the contenders at Melbourne Park this year , having triumphed in Sydney last week . The 2013 Australian Open finalist , Dominika Cibulkova , is flying under the radar thus far -- which she probably does n't mind . And after getting past the tricky Kirsten Flipkens in the first round , Cibulkova crushed unpredictable Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 6-0 . Another lucky escape . Sharapova saved match points in defeating qualifier Alexandra Panova , but it 's an uncommon feat . Saving match points two matches in a row is almost unheard , yet veteran Feliciano Lopez has done it . The Spaniard fended off three match points against American Denis Kudla , prior to saving one more Thursday in the third set versus Frenchman Adrian Mannarino . Lopez , the 12th seed , eventually advanced when Mannarino retired with heat exhaustion while leading 6-4 6-4 6-7 ( 3 ) 0-4 . `` I feel very lucky , '' Lopez told the Australian Open 's website . `` I think those two matches I won , I should n't ( have ) won , at least not the one today . I was very lucky . '' There was no such drama for top-seed Novak Djokovic . Djokovic needed less than an hour and a half to see off young Russian Andrey Kuznetsov -- who upset grand slam finalist David Ferrer at Wimbledon last year -- 6-0 6-1 6-4 , but defending champion Stan Wawrinka had to work somewhat harder against Romanian qualifier Marius Copil . Wawrinka prevailed 7-6 ( 4 ) 7-6 ( 4 ) 6-3 . Despite the loss , Copil can take heart from the fact he hit the fastest serve of the tournament at 242 kilometers per hour . In a week filled with mostly positive results for the Australians , favorite Lleyton Hewitt -- in his record 19th straight tournament appearance -- blew a two-set lead to fellow 33-year-old Benjamin Becker of Germany . Becker , previously 0-6 in fifth sets , came through 2-6 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 . U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori admitted to feeling slightly dizzy due to the conditions but still eliminated another big server , Ivan Dodig of Croatia . Dodig failed to serve out the fourth set and Nishikori ran out a 4-6 7-5 6-2 7-6 ( 0 ) winner . `` Hot out there , '' said Nishikori . `` A lot of sun . It was n't easy . Especially third and fourth set I was a little bit dizzy and tired . But , you know , it 's going to be like this in Australia , so I think I was ready for it . Hopefully I wo n't play ( in ) this condition again . '' For Nishikori , the weather forecast looks promising . The forecast high for the next two days is 27 degrees Celsius prior to the highs falling to the low 20s .
Serena Williams rallies to beat Andrey Kuznetsov at the Australian Open . Williams faced eight set points in the first set against the Australian . Novak Djokovic makes quick work of Russia 's Andrey Kuznetsov . Williams , Russia , Kei Nishikori also advance .