Fifth seed Nishikori earned a semi spot by beating Alexandr Dolgopolov, the 2012 Brisbane runnerup.

CNN: No. 1 Azarenka ruled out by foot problem

Last season's championship runnerup Fernando Alonso was second fastest for Ferrari.

CNN: Rain ruins F1 qualifying in Melbourne

Compatriot Dovizioso, his replacement at Ducati, claimed sixth place ahead of last season's championship runnerup Dani Pedrosa -- who was outshone by his new Honda colleague Marquez.

CNN: Rookie Marquez outshines MotoGP champion Lorenzo in Qatar

Home fans had to make do with fourth place as Klaus Kroll was the top Austrian finisher, with 2011 super-G runnerup Hannes Reichelt skiing out in the first of the two runs.

CNN: Svindal makes skiing history with downhill gold

Felipe Massa claimed fifth place but his Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso -- the race winner in Sepang last year and overall runnerup -- paid for an early mistake that broke his front wing and ended his day.

CNN: Vettel apologizes after controversial F1 win in Malaysia

Her older sibling Venus, who is in the same half of the draw, bounced back from her early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon by thrashing Roland Garros runnerup Sara Errani 6-3 6-1 in her delayed first-round match.

CNN: Williams sisters progress in Olympic tennis events

Sixth seed Li, who came into the Sydney tournament off the back of victory in Shenzhen, China, made Wimbledon runnerup Radwanska work for her triumph, saving an incredible seven match points before finally being beaten after one hour and 32 minutes.

CNN: Tennis to land in Li Na's hometown

Felipe Massa claimed fifth place but his Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso -- the race winner in Sepang last year and overall runnerup -- paid for an early mistake that broke his front wing and ended his 200th career grand prix as he stayed out on the track too long without getting it repaired.

CNN: Vettel apologizes after controversial F1 win in Malaysia