While they kept the Asian flag flying China's Muan Yuan fell at the first hurdle, ousted by Ashley Harkleroad of the United States 6-3, 6-0.

Japan's number one Ai Sugiyama, in her 13th Australian Open and seeded 23, fought hard but didn't have enough ammunition to kill off Anastasiya Yakimova from Belarus, going down 6-2, 2-6, 10-8.

Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun also crashed out, losing his second round match against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 and missing out on a crack at world number one Roger Federer in the next round.

Li, the Chinese number one who is seeded 19 here, swept past Elena Bovina of Russia 6-4, 6-3 in her opening match delayed from Tuesday due to heat.

The victory sets up a second round encounter with Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain.

"It was the first time I had played her. I knew she was carrying an injury but she has a good serve and I had to be careful," said Li, ranked 16 in the world.

"It was a tough match and I am glad to be past the first round."

Peng, born in Hunan province but based in Florida, fought out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win over Slovenian Andreja Klepac, saying she was pleased to come through a hard match against an unfamiliar opponent.

"I didn't know her, it was the first time I saw her so it made it hard," said the 21-year-old, ranked 52 in the world.

"When the match started I was playing a little bit tired but won the first set and then in the second set I think she started to try again.

"In the third set I started to fight and went to five-zero and was able to finish the match. I think I played OK today."

Peng, who loves playing football in her spare time, has never been beyond a Grand Slam third round and asked how far she would go in the tournament, replied: "I'm taking it step by step and match by match, not thinking about it too much."

She next plays eighth seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

Danai is on a hot run of form following his Asian Games triumph last month and fought past Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion and a semifinalist here in 2004, 7-6 (7/0), 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in a three hour 23 minute marathon.

It was one of the biggest scalps of his career and hands him a plum third round tie against rising Serbian teen Novak Djokovic, seeded 14, and tipped by Federer as a future star.

"I cannot say I am confident to get past the third round but if you play good, it's possible. All I can do is play my best," said Danai, who is Thailand's main hope after Paradorn Srichaphan was bounced out in the first round.

"I feel good because I am the last one (man) that the Asian people can support. It will help me to keep going.

"My goal was just to win the first round and after that has been a bonus."

India's Sania Mirza is still alive and plays Japan's Akiko Morigami in an all-Asian clash on Thursday.

Japan's Aiko Nakamura will have her work cut out against Belgium's fourth seed Kim Clijsters.