NEW YORK — Samantha Stosur, the last woman to beat Serena Williams at the US Open four years ago, and two-time runner-up Victoria Azarenka made the third round Thursday. Australian 22nd seed Stosur breezed past Russia's Evgeniya Rodina — one of two mothers to have reached the second round — 6-1, 6-1. Stosur, 31, fired eight aces with no double faults and hit 29 winners in her quickfire win, which gave her a third-round encounter against Italian 16th seed Sara Errani. Despite the victory, Stosur hit out at organizers, who she claims have blundered over transport for players as well as practice court arrangements. Stosur said she was forced to switch courts Wednesday when Serena Williams needed a place to practice. "She kicked me off my practice court. A few issues," said the Australian. Azarenka, seeded at 20, made the finals in 2012 and 2013, losing to Williams in three sets on both occasions. The Belarusian, playing in just her 13th tournament of an injury-hit season, saw off 2009 semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, 7-5, 6-4. "She doesn't give you much time. She came out firing and I had to fight and dig deep," said the 26-year-old. Errani made the next stage by seeing off Latvian qualifier Jelena Ostapenko 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 with German 18th seed Andrea Petkovic defeating Russia's Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Warne gives tips to Kyrgios Australian cricket great Shane Warne told tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios Thursday respect was more important than being liked and warned him "you're testing our patience mate". Showman Kyrgios has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. He lost at the US Open Tuesday to Andy Murray before jousting with the media over his reputation and behavior, which some see as petulant and disrespectful while others view as good for a sport in need of characters. Warne, no stranger to controversy himself, offered his fellow Australian some attitude tips, and urged him not to waste his talent. "We all realize you're only 20 & have a lot to learn buddy. But please don't waste your talent, everyone in the world, especially us Australians want to respect u," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Remember respect is way more important than being liked, u need to respect the game of tennis & yourself." — Agencies
