Li Na steamrolls Rogowska to make third round

MELBOURNE - China's Li Na charged into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-2 6-2 win over local hope Olivia Rogowska in the sunshine at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

Li Na of China hits a return to Olivia Rogowska of Australia during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The French Open champion, who set the tournament alight with a brilliant run to the final last year, mowed past the 168th-ranked wild card in 62 minutes as her husband-coach Jiang Shan nodded approval from the stands.

Asia's first grand slam champion appeared in fine touch, landing nearly 80 percent of her serves and overwhelming the 20-year-old Rogowska with raw power from the baseline.

Li captured the decisive break at 3-2 in the second set when Rogowska slapped a forehand wide and enjoyed her return to centre court, where she was beaten in the tension-charged final by Kim Clijsters last year.

"This year there's more fans (who have) come to watch me play, the fans aren't just from China, they're from all over the world," she said in a courtside interview.

Li faces Anabel Medina Garrigues in the third round after the Spaniard blasted Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-1 6-0.

Olivia Rogowska of Australia walks carrying her towel in her mouth during a break in between games against Li Na of China during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]