It was a banner day for the first couple of Czech tennis at the Australian Open.

Fresh from her upset 6-4 6-3 victory over defending champion Amelie Mauresmo of France, Lucie Safarova walked off Rod Laver Arena on Sunday to learn that her boyfriend Tomas Berdych had just thrashed Russian Dmitry Tursunov.

Safarova and Berdych have known each other since they were small children growing up in the picturesque Czech town of Prostejov.

They started going out four years ago and treasure the time they can spend together on tour at the grand slam tournaments and the Hopman Cup.

"That's amazing that we both finished (our matches) at the same time," said the 20-year-old Safarova, who won the third of her three career titles last year on the Gold Coast before being hampered by leg and shoulder injuries in 2006.

"We are both really happy.

"Before the Open we spoke together, saying we can do it."

The 2007 Open has been a breakthrough event for Safarova who had only won one match in six previous grand slam tournaments.

After going behind 1-4 in the first set she reeled off seven straight games against the second-seeded Mauresmo.

"I knew if the match went on longer and longer it would not be an advantage for me, but for her because she's experienced," said Safarova, who will now play fellow Czech Nicole Vaidisova in the quarter-finals.

"So I really tried to concentrate on each point that I could make and to win the match in two sets."

Berdych's third-round clash against Tursunov was pushed back a day following Saturday's persistent rain which prevented any play on the outside courts.

But the No.13 seed wasted no time once they finally got on court, flogging Tursunov 6-2 6-1 6-1 in just 83 minutes to set up a round of 16 encounter with 12th-seeded German Tommy Haas.

"I think it can be an advantage," said Berdych of being involved in a relationship with a fellow tennis player.

"Because we both know what tennis is, that we need to travel, the practice, all the things that are together with the tennis.

"It works."

The singles success of the Czech love match has prompted them to withdraw from the mixed doubles where they were scheduled to take on Australians Stephen Huss and Monique Adamczak on Sunday.

"Both of us are playing really good and I don't think it's a good idea to go and just play in the mixed in these conditions," said Berdych.

"Also I think Lucie is feeling a little bit in her leg."

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