Designer hat gets Russian in trouble

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Hot water ... the offending hat, worn by Kirilenko during her first two matches. Source: Rob Griffith / AAP

Russian hotty Maria Kirilenko flirted with disqualification before booking a fourth-round showdown with all-conquering Serena Williams at the Australian Open.

Kirilenko, who once posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, is the poster girl for Stella McCartney, showcasing the famous designer's latest tennis number at Melbourne Park.

But the 25-year-old found herself in hot water on Saturday when the grand slam supervisor threatened to boot her out of the Open for breaching branding regulations.

The world No.14 and former Open quarter-finalist was ordered to remove the Stella McCartney logo from her visor before taking on Yanina Wickmayer at Hisense Arena.

"They said I couldn't wear that anymore, just on the practice court," Kirilenko said after overcoming the distraction to beat Wickmayer, the 20th seed, 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

"Actually there were two signs - adidas and Stella McCartney - and they said I'm not allowed to wear two brands on the same visor.

"I don't know (why), but I played two matches with that (already) and nobody tell me until today.

"It's good that I had a bandanna in my bag, so I was fine to play."

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Heat down Perth to claim BBL title

Underdogs ... Brisbane Heat are this season's Big Bash League champions. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Brisbane Heat are the new kings of Australian Twenty20 cricket after beating Perth Scorchers by 34 runs in Saturday's KFC T20 Big Bash League final at the WACA Ground.

T20 - WACA Ground

19 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Scorchers 1st Innings

J. Behrendorf...	2	4	0	0	50
M. Beer	2	2	0	0	100
A. McDermott	4	0	21	2	5.25

Chasing 168 for victory, the Scorchers were restricted to 9-133, with dangerman Shaun Marsh dismissed for just 16 off 24 balls courtesy of a sharp overhead catch from Nathan Hauritz in the deep.

The Heat only booked their place in the BBL finals with an upset win over Hobart Hurricanes in the last round of the season and went into their semi-final against Melbourne Renegades as massive underdogs.

Former WA bad boy Luke Pomersbach cracked an unbeaten 112 to power the Heat past the Renegades in Tuesday's semi-final, but it was a team effort to get over the line against the Scorchers in the decider.

Joe Burns (43 off 27 balls) top-scored for the Heat in their total of 5-167, while Dan Christian (37 off 21) provided some crucial big hits at the tail-end of their innings.

And although Brisbane opener Pomersbach couldn't get close to repeating his recent heroics, he still managed 37 off 38 balls to get the Heat off to a solid start.

The Heat's bowlers then backed up the efforts, with West Indies paceman Kemar Roach (3-18 off four overs) and spinner Nathan Hauritz (0-11 off three overs) grinding down the Scorchers early, before Ben Cutting snared the crucial scalp of Marsh.

Brisbane achieved the win without skipper James Hopes, who failed in his bid to overcome a hamstring injury.

The Scorchers lost last summer's BBL final to Sydney Sixers, and were desperate to end the nine-year title drought for Western Australia cricket.

But they never looked likely in their run chase, especially after crawling to 1-17 after five overs.

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With Marsh at the crease, there was always hope.

But when he fell in the eighth over with the score at 2-38, the Scorchers were in big trouble.

Adam Voges (49 off 32 balls) and Marcus North (24) looked promising in patches.

But with Herschelle Gibbs missing through injury and Marsh dismissed cheaply, the Scorchers lacked the firepower to chase down the Heat's competitive total.

Although the Scorchers missed out on the BBL trophy, they can take consolation in the fact they've already booked their spot in this year's lucrative T20 Champions League. 

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Relive the Big Bash League final with our Match Centre, featuring video of every boundary and wicket!

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Journalist Walsh accepts Armstrong apology

DAVID Walsh, the journalist who almost single-handedly queried disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong's remarkable comeback from cancer, has accepted the American's apology.

But he said he felt it hard to sympathise with him despite his confession.

Armstrong, who is being sued by Walsh's newspaper paper the Sunday Times for more than STG1 million ($A1.53 million) over a libel payment made to him in 2006, issued the apology during the second part of his interview with Oprah Winfrey on Friday (Saturday AEDT).

However, while Walsh accepted the apology, he tweeted that he didn't know how sincere it was.

"Watching part two of Armstrong interview, he admits to feeling shamed and humbled. But why is it so difficult to empathise with his situation?

"Oprah pressured him, the apology was, I thought, hesitantly promised. I didn't ask for it, or expect it, but, yes, if it's offered, I accept."

The Sunday Times had earlier in the week taken out an advertisment in the Chicago Tribune with 10 questions they wanted Winfrey to ask Armstrong.

The English newspaper picked the Chicago Tribune as it is in the city where Winfrey hosts her show on her OWN cable TV network.

Aside from the Sunday Times lawsuit, there is also a potential threat to Armstrong's liberty, stemming from the fallen icon's role in the US Postal Service team, where he spent his most successful years in the saddle.

Having been paid by the government, the former team leader could face criminal charges for making fraudulent statements to his bosses.

He could also be accused of perjury over disclosures made under oath to a US federal jury in 2005.

If convicted, each false statement could lead to five years in jail.

Armstrong always maintained that he did not use banned substances during his stellar career, but the Sunday Times was one of the few publications to openly query his innocence.

The paper had to pay Armstrong $US300,000 ($A286,000) to settle a libel case after previously suggesting that he may have cheated.

The Sunday Times is reportedly demanding the return of the original settlement payment, along with interest and legal costs.

The newspaper had long questioned Armstrong's achievements and in 2004 it published an article stating that it was appropriate for questions about his success to be "posed and answered".

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Victory hold off 10-man Glory

The difference ... Thompson's pressure forced the own goal from Jamieson. Source: AAP

Melbourne Victory have held on for a scratchy 1-0 victory over a 10-man Perth Glory at nib Stadium.

It was far from the ideal performance from Ange Postecoglou's side, but an own goal in the 25th minute turned out to be enough as they picked up their third win in five games.

Both teams looked to move the ball in the opening stages and it would be the Victory to have the first real chance of the night through Archie Thompson.

The Socceroos striker looked threatening in the early stages and he went within a whisker of scoring with a header that drew a fine save from Danny Vukovic.

That seemed to fire the Glory into action and they too would come close to the opener as Dean Heffernan found the crossbar with a quality header.

The game settled down after that and the Glory looked to be gaining the ascendancy until Jamieson was found wanting at the back.

After winning a turnover from Bas van den Brink, Marcos Flores played a wonderful ball through for Marco Rojas and the New Zealander's cross forced Jamieson into a costly error under the pressure of Thompson.

The hosts looked the more likely for the rest of the half but were unable to make a series of corners count.

Perth were again on top early in the second half as they enjoyed extended periods of possession.

But they were unable to find the breakthrough and things got tougher for the home side in the 68th minute when Joshua Risdon was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Leigh Broxham.

The game should have been out of reach for the hosts just minutes later when Rojas was played through by Spase Dilevski but the Kiwi powered his shot straight at Vukovic, who stayed big and made a strong save.

The Glory continued to press forward and they very nearly nabbed a draw when Ryo Nagai found the crossbar with a deflected shot in injury time.

It wasn't to be the home side's night however, as it finished 1-0 to the Victory.

Check out the goal and all the stats at Match Centre!

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V8 Abu Dhabi race cancelled

Cancelled ... Jamie Whincup in action at last year's race in Abu Dhabi. Source: EDGE Photographics / AAP

V8 Supercars organisers have been forced to cancel their glamour race in Abu Dhabi for the 2013 season.

It was announced on Friday that the event at Yas Marina Circuit has been sidelined this year in what appears to have been a call made by Formula One authorities, namely Formula One Managemtn (FOM).

The Abu Dhabi race was run last year as the only support category for the F1 Grand Prix at the same venue and was scheduled to do the same this year before Friday's announcement.

"V8 Supercars have been absolutely amazing in the three years we've worked with them building a fan base for the sport locally and in the region," Yas Marina Circuit CEO Richard Cregan said.

"As one of the most exciting motorsport categories in the world we hope to see them back at Yas Marina Circuit soon."

V8 Supercars organisers said they understood the decision and are comfortable with it, but are hopeful of returning to the circuit in 2014.

"It has always been clear that FOM ultimately decides, or approves, 'support' categories that run in conjunction with Formula One," V8 Supercars CEO David Malone said.

"We were acutely aware of this when we announced the 2013 calendar, with FOM then making this decision in late December. We thoroughly enjoy competing alongside Formula One and are absolutely comfortable with this news.

"There are contingencies in place and we will discuss the options, which may include racing on an alternate date to Formula One in 2014, with Yas Marina Circuit as soon as possible.

"What is very clear is the outstanding relationship we have with Richard Cregan and his team at Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management; and a committed combined will to find an alternative solution that fits for all.

"V8 Supercars and ADMM will announce any new arrangements as soon as they are decided."

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Sharapova continues Open dominance

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Fired up ... Sharapova was in control from start to finish against Williams. Source: Dita Alangkara / AAP

Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams became another Maria Sharapova victim as the Russian took her astonishing Australian Open start up a notch in the third round.

Sharapova, 25, whose preparation for the tournament was limited by a collarbone injury, had gone through the first two rounds without losing a game, blitzing fellow Russian Olga Puchkova and Japan's Misaki Doi.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 3, 18/01/13

Unlike those victims, Williams at least made it onto the scoreboard as Sharapova won 6-1 6-3.

Williams had been expected to give the No.2 seed her first real fight of the tournament.

But Sharapova, who won the Open in 2008 and lost last year's final to Victoria Azarenka, dominated from the start.

She won the first four games, making it 28 in succession to start her tournament, before Williams held serve to ensure she would avoid a whitewash.

It was a blip as the Russian played clinical tennis to race through the next five games.

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Click here for a full list of the day's Australian Open results.

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It was only when Sharapova first served for the match at 5-1 that Williams provided substantial resistance, breaking serve for the first time.

That prolonged the match for two more games.

Sharapova will meet unseeded Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the fourth round, after Flipkens beat Russia's Valeria Savinykh on Friday.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 3, 18/01/13

Iva (13)	7	6
Jan (22)	5	3

Sharapova said it the meeting with Williams was something she had been eyeing since the draw was announced.

"No matter what she's ranked or seeded she's always a very tough opponent,'' Sharapova said.

"I was very determined out there and really wanted this victory.''

Meanwhile, Ana Ivanovic, seeded 13, defeated compatriot Jelena Jankovic, the 22nd seed, 7-5 6-3 in the third round on Friday.

Radwanska had an easier pathway, continuing her stunning form with a 6-3 6-1 win over young Briton Heather Watson.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 3, 18/01/13

The fourth seed has already won titles in Auckland and Sydney and is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park on her progression through to the last 16.

Crowd favourite and former finalist Li Na of China, meets German Julia Goerges after defeating Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-1.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 3, 18/01/13

A second German, the fifth-ranked Angelique Kerber, also made it to the last 16 with a 6-2 7-5 victory over rising American star Madison Keys.

Radwanska and Watson, a 20-year-old from Guernsey, had met once before - at Wimbledon, last year where the Pole was the eventual runner-up.

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Find all your Australian Open results here!

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"It's great that I am already playing my best tennis at the beginning of the year,'' Radwanska said after her win on Wednesday.

"I just hope I can keep playing on the same level through the rest of the tournament.''

Watson managed her first service break points in the final game but watched them evaporate as Radwanska clawed her way to deuce.

An ace brought up match point, which she seized on as the British woman netted a return.

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Melbourne break Adelaide hearts

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Head hunter ... Josip Tadic celebartes with teammates after scoring. Source: Hamish Blair / AAP

Melbourne Heart leapt into the A-League top six and left Adelaide United with a greasy grip on a top two spot with a 2-0 victory at AAMI Park.

The Heart rebounded from their late capitulation to Sydney FC last weekend with a far more controlled performance against a Reds side which struggled for rhythm.

Goals in both halves to Josip Tadic and Richard Garcia secured the victory, pushing the Heart into fifth place.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	16	10	4	2	15	34
2	Adelaide	17	10	2	5	6	32
3	Victory	16	8	3	5	0	27
4	Western Sydney	16	8	2	6	6	26
5	Heart	17	6	3	8	-1	21
6	Newcastle	16	6	2	8	-8	20
7	Perth	16	5	4	7	1	19
8	Brisbane	16	5	2	9	-1	17
9	Sydney	16	5	2	9	-13	17
10	Wellington	16	4	4	8	-5	16

Adelaide are in danger of both falling further behind league leaders Central Coast if the Mariners can pick up points against Newcastle Jets on Saturday and having third-placed Melbourne Victory close in if they succeed against Perth Glory on Saturday night.

As is their usual modus operandi, the Heart grabbed an early lead when striker Tadic headed home a Fred cross in the fifth minute with Adelaide's marking non-existent.

Both teams had dangerous patches of play and Adelaide could have equalised had Dario Vidosic done better on 42 minutes.

He shot well over the bar after Evan Kostopoulos had played him in on goal.

A minute later, Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic made a fine save to deny David Williams and Tadic was unable to make any meaningful contact with a difficult rebound.

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Relive every goal, tackle and foul in our Match Centre.

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But it took just four minutes after halftime for the Heart to go further ahead, when midfielder Matt Thompson dispossessed Kostopoulos in midfield, ran to the edge of the box, then played in Garcia who slotted home coolly.

While Heart are the best first half team in the A-League this season, they are also the worst second-half performers.

But they were rarely troubled by a flat Reds side in the second half - long-range shots from Kostopoulos and Cameron Watson late in the period their best attempts.

Both teams also have significant injury concerns out of the match.

Heart lost skipper Fred to what appeared a hamstring or quadriceps injury just 10 minutes into the second half.

And soon after Adelaide's Vidosic limped from the field to be substituted.

Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi confirmed post match that Fred had damaged his quadriceps and would have scans to determine the severity of an injury which left the Brazilian visibly distressed.

"I only spoke to him very briefly and he's very upset, so we'll have to have scans to see if it's something serious - if it's a tear or not,'' Aloisi said.

"Disappointing, because last week you saw the old Fred coming back and now this happened ... we'll just have to see the extent of it.''

Adelaide coach John Kosmina said Vidosic had a hip injury, picking up two knocks in the same area during the match.

And he lamented what he called "two cheap goals'' his side conceded at poor times.

"We played well in patches but we gave two cheap goals away, and that's what probably killed us,'' Kosmina said.

"When we did keep the ball we looked half-decent. We just didn't do it for long enough.''

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'Lance doesn't realise his crime'

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Disappointed ... Phil Liggett was once a staunch defender of Lance Armstrong. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Veteran cycling commentator Phil Liggett is one of several prominent people within the sport to have criticised the lack of detail and real contrition in Lance Armstrong's confession during his interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Liggett, nicknamed 'the voice of cycling', used to strongly support Armstrong.

"It was not a deep and sincere apology if that's what we were looking for," Liggett said.

"He has to name names.

"He doesn't seem to realise the incredulous crime he's committed."

Retired Australian Tour de France star Robbie McEwen, who organised charity rides with Armstrong in this country only a couple of years ago, said he felt deceived.

"It's changed everyone's opinion of him," McEwen said of the confession.

"Everyone wanted to believe in the hero, the fairy tale story.

"I don't think there's a person on the planet who even remotely follows cycling who hasn't changed their opinion of what we thought Lance was."

Fellow Australian cycling great Stuart O'Grady was among those who stressed the sport had changed since Armstrong's Tour reign.

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"The damage has been done, there's no getting around that,'' O'Grady said.

"But what we can do now is look to the future."

The man who oversaw the doping investigation into Armstrong has called the disgraced cyclist's confession a step in the right direction.

US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart said Armstrong now must give more formal evidence about his doping past.

Reaction to Armstrong's much-anticipated interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey was as wide and varied as the opinions of him have always been.

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Watch part two of Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah Winfrey on the Discovery Channel on Foxtel, from 1pm (EDT) Saturday.

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There was fascination, great sadness, indifference and revulsion.

Tygart was matter-of-fact.

Armstrong once called the USADA investigation that Tygart oversaw into his cycling career a "witch hunt", but chose not to contest its exhaustive report when it was published last August.

The Texan was stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles, his Olympic bronze medal from 2000 and banned from all sanctioned sport for life.

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"If he is sincere in his desire to correct his past mistakes, he will testify under oath about the full extent of his doping activities," Tygart said in a statement.

Cycling's world body, UCI, is in the midst of an argument about whether there should be a truth and reconciliation process for the sport.

UCI president Pat McQuaid said in a statement that Armstrong's interview was disturbing.

"Armstrong also rightly said that cycling is a completely different sport today than it was 10 years ago," McQuaid added.

"In particular the UCI's introduction of the biological passport in 2008 - the first sports federation to do so - has made a real difference in the fight against doping.

"Finally, we note that Lance Armstrong expressed a wish to participate in a truth and reconciliation process, which we would welcome."

Australia's Tour de France pioneer Phil Anderson, a team-mate of Armstrong's in the early 1990s, said the interview had not told him much new.

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"I don't think anything was really revealed, beyond what had been leaked," Anderson said.

"Finally we hear it from him.

"You look at his body language, he doesn't look any different to his usual interview."

Betsy Andreu, the wife of Armstrong's former teammate Frankie Andreu and one of the first to publicly accuse the Texan of doping, agreed.

"I'm really disappointed,'' Andreu, who was repeatedly attacked by Armstrong over the years, told CNN.

"After what you've done to me, what you've done to my family and you couldn't own up to it. And now we're supposed to believe you?" she said.

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Venus sets up date with Sharapova

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All class ... Sharapova hasn't dropped a game so far at this year's Open. Source: Julian Smith / AAP

Venus Williams set up a glamour Australian Open third round showdown with in-form fellow former world No.1 Maria Sharapova by outclassing Frenchwoman Alize Cornet at Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.

The statuesque American beat Cornet 6-3 6-3 to book a date on Friday with the Russian second seed.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 2, 16/01/13

The pair have 11 grand slam singles trophies between them, Williams seven and Sharapova four, including the 2008 Australian Open title.

Sharapova's form over the first two rounds has been faultless, not dropping a game in either of her matches.

Williams, the 25th seed, wasn't quite as convincing against Cornet.

She lost the first two games of the match and went down a break of serve early in the second set, but both times Williams responded well and showed she still packs an enormous punch at her best, winning six of the last seven games of the first set and the last four of the match.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 2, 16/01/13

Asked about her prospects against Sharapova, Williams said: "I better bring my best game against her."

Sharapova holds a 4-3 head-to-head career advantage but the American has won their only two grand slam meetings in straight sets, at Wimbledon in 2005 and 2007, going on to win the championship both times.

Sharapova said the illustrious records of herself and Williams wouldn't mean much when they took to the court.

"I hope for it to be a great match. You certainly know what she's capable of," Sharapova said.

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For a full list of Australian Open scores and results, click here.

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"But when you're out on the court, you're not thinking about how many titles she's won or how experienced she is. You're thinking about what you need to do to step it up in a certain situation and win as many points as you can."

Earlier, Polish world No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska moved into the third round of the Australian Open and already has the finals in her sights.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 2, 16/01/13

Radwanska reached her first grand slam final at Wimbledon last year when she went down to Serena Williams, and is chasing more time in the major spotlight.

However she may not get the opportunity to play Williams at Melbourne Park after doubt increased over the American's fitness.

Williams rolled an ankle during her first round win over Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall and on Wednesday switched her practice session to train indoors in private.

Radwanska, meanwhile, was forced to fight back in both sets on Wednesday before moving through her second round clash with Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.

She was happy after her 6-3 6-3 win, even though she had to rebound in both sets.

Radwanska believes if she can last long enough to meet the top players in big tournaments consistently, she will soon be joining them.

"Playing against one or two in a grand slam is always the biggest challenge so hopefully I will have the opportunity this time and be in the sem-finals here," she said.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 2, 16/01/13

Her sizzling start to the year has given her a massive lift in confidence and left the pacesetters looking over their shoulders.

"I'm definitely happy that I can play my best tennis at the beginning of the year because it's always tough after a few weeks off.

"I didn't really expect that I could win that many matches in a row - and hopefully I can keep going," she said.

Popular Chinese star Li Na scored a straight sets win en route to the third round, the sixth seed - a finalist at Melbourne Park in 2011 - beat Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-2 7-5.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round 2, 16/01/13

But 15th seed Dominika Cibulkova was not so fortunate, exiting after a shock loss to a qualifier.

The Czech went down in straight sets in the second round - losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to little known Russian Valeria Savinykh.

Fifth seed Angelique Kerber also moved easily into the third round, disposing of Czech Lucie Hradecka in straight sets, the German winning 6-3 6-1.

She will play the winner of the clash between American Madison Keys and 30th-seeded Austrian Tamira Paszek for a fourth-round berth.

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Honest Stosur admits she 'choked'

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Honest ... Samantha Stosur admits to "choking" in her second-round loss. Source: Paul Crock / AAP

A brutally honest Samantha Stosur confessed to a mental meltdown after suffering yet more Australian Open heartache at Melbourne Park.

In a dramatic and devastating collapse, Stosur capitulated from 5-2 up in the deciding set to crash out of the Open with a 6-4 1-6 7-5 loss to China's former semi-finalist Zheng Jie on Wednesday.

The shattering defeat continued Stosur's nightmare run at her home grand slam, the 2011 US Open champion having never ventured beyond the fourth round in 11 visits to Melbourne.

After battling back from a set down to seize control of the second-round contest, Stosur committed tennis suicide, ultimately falling on her sword with her ninth double fault after two hours and 42 tension-filled minutes.

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See all the latest results from the Australian Open here.

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"At 5-2 up in the third, (with a) double break, probably is a bit of a choke, yeah," Stosur said.

32-Julien Benneteau (FRA) bt Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 4-6 7-5 7-6 7-6

31-Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-2 6-2 6-4.
 

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) bt 23-Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 3-6 6-3.

4-David Ferrer (ESP) bt LL-Tim Smyczek (USA) 6-0 7-5 4-6 6-3.

26-Jurgen Melzer (AUT) bt Roberto Bautista (ESP) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3 6-2.

15-Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) bt Tobias Kamke (GER) 6-3 7-6(4) ret.

24-Jerzy Janowicz (POL) bt Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-7(10) 3-6 6-1 6-0 7-5.

5-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Guillaume Rufin (FRA) 6-2 6-2 6-4.

16-Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 7-6(4) 6-4 6-1.

20-Sam Querrey (USA) bt Brian Baker (USA) 6-7(2) 1-1 ret.

10-Nicolas Almagro (ESP) bt Daniel Gimeno (ESP) 6-4 6-1 6-2

Stosur readily admitted to freezing under the weight of home pressure in her first-round loss last year to Sorana Cirstea, but felt she was managing her nerves better this summer.

Alas, the 28-year-old conceded her latest collapse was "100 per cent" mental.

"I got tight and then you start missing some balls," she said.

"You probably think a little bit too much. You do it over and over and over again and then you start not wanting to miss rather than wanting to make the winner."

Stosur said "crazy things" first started popping into her head when she failed to serve out the match on her first chance at 5-2.

From there, the 28-year-old was unable to recover as Zheng for the second time in a week fought back to defeat the Australian in three sets.

"It's a pretty hard one to take when you get yourself well and truly into a winning position," Stosur said.

"I was playing really quite well. Then all of a sudden you get to 5-2 and you lose five games straight.

"Now, unfortunately, the summer is over as quickly as what it started again.

"I'll do what I always do and keep playing and keep trying hard. I mean, I know I'm going to get over it. It's just you want it now, not tomorrow."

Zheng, also a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, said Stosur was playing much better than in their Sydney clash last Monday.

But the world No.40 knew she could beat Stosur if she stayed with her.

"Her kick serve and the big forehand, also backhand slice gave me the big trouble," Zheng said.

"But today I try to play more aggressive. I try to go to the net, give her some pressure.

"This is what my coaches tell me - give her some pressure - and this way is the key to win this match."

Despite reigning supreme in New York 16 months ago and reaching a French Open final and three semis in Paris, Stosur has faltered in the early rounds nine times in Melbourne.

Her exit completes Australia's worst-ever showing in the women's singles, with the world No.9 the only local to make the second round.

Bernard Tomic, who plays German qualifier Daniel Brands on Thursday for a likely shot at Roger Federer, and fellow 20-year-old James Duckworth, up against world No.93 Blaz Kavcic, are the only Australians left after 16 started on Monday.

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