Australian Open 2013: Sharapova Beats Williams; Djokovic Moves on

Maria Sharapova continued her sublime form at the Australian Open by beating Venus Williams 6-1, 6-3 to reach the fourth round. The Russian world number two will take on Kirsten Flipkens in her next match, after the Belgian defeated Sharapova's compatriot, Valeria Savinykh, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Meanwhile, tournament favourite and world number one Novak Djokovic also secured a place in the fourth round with a well-fought 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. The Serb will now meet Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, who beat big-serving Sam Querrey of America 6-7[6], 5-7, 4-6.

Djokovic's compatriot and eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic has again emerged the winner in a five-set thriller, after he beat Julien Benneteau [32] of France 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the third round. The 28-year-old will next face Nicolas Almagro [10] of Spain, who got the better of Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, 7-6[3], 7-6[4], 6-1.

Other Results

Fifth seed Angelique Kerber advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career with a 6-2, 7-5 win over American teenager Madison Keys. The German will now play 19th seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, who prevailed over 11th seed and 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli [11] of France.

Also through is sixth seed and 2011 Roland Garros champion Li Na, who posted a comfortable 6-4, 6-1 victory over Sorana Cirstea of Romania. The Chinese star will meet Julia Goerges [18] of Germany, who overcame Li's compatriot Zheng Jie 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.

Sixteenth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan sealed his passage into the fourth round, courtesy of a comprehensive 7-6[3], 6-2, 6-3 victory over Evgeny Donskoy of Russia. The 23-year-old has now booked a clash with either fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain or Marcos Baghdatis [28] of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson has become the first South African to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam since Wayne Ferreira's semi-final appearance at Melbourne in 2003. The 25-year-old did so by pulling off a five-set win over 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 and will now meet either Tomas Berdych [5] of Czech Republic or Jurgen Melzer [26] of Austria, in his next outing.

Earlier in the day, world number four Agnieszka Radwanska ended British number one Heather Watson's run at Melbourne Park with a straight-sets triumph. Going on court around 12 hours after compatriot Laura Robson pulled off an epic victory over former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, Watson was outplayed by her Polish opponent in day four's opener. Radwanska will now take on former world number one Ana Ivanovic [13], who progressed at the expense of fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic [22], 7-5, 6-3.