Melbourne, January 19:

In a classic match worthy of a final, fifth-seeded Andy Roddick outlasted Marat Safin 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Serena Williams rallied after No 5 Nadia Petrova served for the match at 6-1, 5-3, showing that she still has superior skills and a strong will to win.

Her 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win was impressive for a woman who dropped out of the top 100 for the first time since 1997 before climbing back to 95th.

Top-ranked Roger Federer had an easier time against Mikhail Youzhny, beating last year’s US Open semi-finalist 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Amelie Mauresmo, the defending women’s champion, beat Eva Birnerova and next plays Lucie Safarova, who advanced when Anastasiya Yakimova retired with a back injury. Other winners were Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, Nicole Vaidisova and Shahar Peer. Williams faces Jelena Jankovic, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Victoria Azarenka.

Federer extended his winning streak to 32 matches — and 10 straight at Melbourne Park. He next faces Novak Djokovic.

Mardy Fish advanced when Wayne Arthurs retired while trailing 3-0 in the first set. Also winning were Tommy Robredo and David Ferrer. Richard Gasquet beat Gael Monfils 6-0, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a match between two former world No 1 juniors from France.