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Melbourne - With South Africa's Raven Klaasen being knocked out of the doubles at the Australian Open, he has teamed up with Dutch player Michaella Krajicek in the mixed doubles.
They had an easy second round win 6-4, 6-4 against Raquel Atawo (USA) and Robert Lindstedt (Sweden).
To those watching the match, it looked like a clinical performance.
Klaasen had a different perspective however: "Even though Michaella's coach thought we played better this match than our previous one, we both thought that we weren't striking the ball as well."
Great signs for the next round if they're able to win quite convincingly when not playing anywhere near their best.
Klaasen provided feedback on the difference between mixed doubles and doubles.
"Mixed doubles almost feels harder. It is a higher grade formula that I have yet to work out."
"With doubles we spend more time talking about it and planning, whereas with mixed doubles we only play 4 times a year and it is chaos most of the time. You have to hope that the chaos falls in your favour!"
Next up in the quarter-finals are Abigail Spears (USA) and Sebastian Cabal (Colombia).
Klaasen has an inside track on Sebastian Cabal.
"It's going to be a tough one. Sebastian Cabal and I actually shared a coach for a while so we know each other quite well and there won't be many secrets!"
Let's hope that Klaasen cracks the higher grade formula, that the chaos is in his favour and that they both strike the ball better!
