Elena Baltacha staying positive after defeat to Justine Henin

Although she was beaten 6-1 6-3, the scoreline did not do the Scot's display justice as she held her own for large parts of the 61-minute contest against the Belgian in the Rod Laver Arena.

And the British No 1 was in bullish mood afterwards. She said: "I feel great. I knew going into the match it was going to be very difficult and it would have to be an unbelievable performance (to win). But it was quite interesting actually. I learnt so much about the match, the positives of what I've improved in my game from last year when playing a top player and the things I have to get better at."

Venus Williams' desire to add to her haul of grand slam titles was evident again as she toughed out a draining three-setter against Sandra Zahlavova in the second round. The American has won seven major singles crowns but none in Melbourne and she is bidding to keep the trophy in the Williams cabinet after sister Serena won it last year. She lost the first set to the Czech and then had to leave the court for a medical time-out for treatment on an upper leg injury. But she somehow found the reserves to come through 6-7 (6-8), 6-0, 6-4. Williams will now play 30th seed Andrea Petkovic, who was given a scare by Britain's Anne Keothavong before winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-0.

Caroline Wozniacki's bid to land her first grand slam crown gathered pace as she secured a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win over Vania King to ease into round three. The Dane, who is the world No 1 despite a modest record at the majors, was far too good for the American.

Ninth seed Ni La and sixth seed Francesca Schiavone both progressed. Li disposed of Evgeniya Rodina for the loss of five games, while French Open champion Schiavone was taken all the way by Canadian Rebecca Marino before coming through 9-7 in the third.