David Ferrer ends Lleyton Hewitt's tennis career as women's seeds tumble

Eighth seed Spaniard David Ferrer has played the villain on Night 4 of the Australian Open, sending Australian stalwart Lleyton Hewitt packing in what was his last professional tennis match.

An emotional Hewitt had to farewell Melbourne Park for the final time, after being outclassed by Ferrer on Thursday night, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Immediately following the loss, Hewitt said the time was right to draw the curtains on his illustrious career which spanned over three decades.

"I'm so fortunate to have had this opportunity for 20 years," he told the crowd. "I've had so much success on this court. I feel fortunate to finish here."

Meanwhile Ferrer paid tribute to Hewitt's contribution to the game, and recalled idolizing Hewitt as a young player.

"I don't have idols, but Lleyton is an idol for me," Ferrer said, "Seven years ago Lleyton Hewitt signed my t-shirt. I still have it."

Earlier, fourth seed Stan Wawrinka edged past dangerous serve-and-volley veteran Radek Stepanek to edge closer to his second Australian Open crown.

Wawrinka won the match in straight sets, but admitted post-match that the 38-year-old Czech is a tricky opponent to play so early in the tournament.

"He is never easy to play, a tough player. I was expecting a tough match but I'm happy with the way I'm playing," Wawrinka told the press.

"I'm just happy, it's only the second round, I need to rest and be ready for the next one."

Women's seventh seed Angelique Kerber avoided the women's seed curse, winning her second round match against Alexandra Dulgheru, 6-2, 6-4, as did Madison Keys, however 11th seed Timea Bacsinszky, 18th seed Elina Svitolina and 30th seed Sabine Lisicki all joined the growing list of seeds to fall.

More than half of the 32 seeds in the tournament have now been eliminated in the first two rounds, with big names Simona Halep, Kvitova and Venus Williams among 15 others to have succumbed in the early stages.

There was better news for Australians on other courts, however. John Millman outlasted Gilles Muller in five sets to book a place in the third round, where he will meet compatriot Bernard Tomic, who defeated Italian Simone Bolelli in four sets.

Earlier, China's Zhang Shuai has continued her world-beating Australian Open form, defeating top 40 player Alize Cornet in straight sets.

Zhang, celebrating her birthday on Thursday, backed up her breakthrough Grand Slam win against 2nd seed Halep with a convincing win against the Frenchwoman ranked an astounding 100 places above her.

The win means China will have one player at the third round of the Open, after other Chinese hopeful Zheng Saisai was eliminated.

The third round of the tournament begins in Melbourne on Friday. Endit