World tennis No.1 Serena Williams will meet Russian fifth seed Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open quarter-finals, after both women had straight sets fourth-round victories.
Sharapova eliminated Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic 7-5 7-5 on Sunday to book her last-eight spot against Williams, who cruised past another Russian, Margarita Gasparyan, in a 6-2 6-1 rout at Rod Laver Arena.
US great Serena Williams in action at the Australian Open Photo: AFP
Defending champion Williams needed less than a hour to roll the world No.58 and book her clash with long-time rival Sharapova, whom the American great beat in last year's final to claim her sixth Australian title.
It's the eighth time Sharapova's reached the final eight in Melbourne, and she blasted 21 aces to oust the 18-year-old 12th seed Bencic 7-5 7-5 in a scintillating serving display.
In an up and down opening set, the four-times finalist and 2008 champion was broken four times but still managed to keep Bencic in check and break her to take the set.
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova Photo: AFP
The second set went with serve until Bencic cracked at 5-6, though Sharapova predicted Bencic would be a contender before long.
"These are the players who are going to take our spot but not just yet," Sharapova said.
"I was really focused because she has a great game and has had a great season."
Nishikori awaits winner of Djokovic-Simon
Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori was the first man into the quarters in Melbourne with a straight sets win over underwhelming French ninth seed Jo Wilfried Tsonga.
Nishikori will now meet defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates his win against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Photo: AFP
Nishikori hit 31 winners in his 6-4 6-2 6-4 triumph in a 122-minute contest on Rod Laver Arena, the former US Open finalist's victory avenging his defeat to Tsonga, runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2008, in a five-set thriller at the French Open last year.
Hewitt's Melbourne time ends after doubles loss
Lleyton Hewitt's 20-year professional career is officially over following his third-round Australian Open doubles loss.
Canadian Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock, the 2014 Wimbledon doubles champions, beat Hewitt and fellow Australian Sam Groth 6-4 6-2 at Margaret Court Arena.
The defeat follows Hewitt's second-round exit from the singles last Thursday and frees the 34-year-old up to focus on his new role as Australia's 19th Davis Cup captain.
- Reuters
