Serena Williams storms into last 16 at Australian Open

Serena Williams storms into last 16 at Australian Open

Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during the third round match of women's singles agasint Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship at Hisense Arena in Melbourne Park, Jan.23, 2010. Serena won 2-0.

MELBOURNE, Jan. 23 -- Serena Williams kept her Australian Open title defence on track by breezing into the fourth round with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Carla Suarez-Navarro.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion had too much power and variety for her Spanish opponent, winning in 80 minutes to set up a last-16 meeting with Sam Stosur, a 6-4, 6-1 winner over Italy's Alberta Brianti.

"I think she's playing great. She beat me the last time we played, so she has a lot of momentum. A ton of momentum," Williams said.

"I definitely expect the crowd to root for Sam. Hopefully, my mom will cheer for me. I should be fine."

Meanwhile, sixth seed Venus Williams beat Casey Dellacqua 6-1, 7-6 (4), and seventh seed Victoria Azarenka continued her impressive run of form by outclassing Tathiana Garbin 6-0, 6-2. The Belarusian has now lost only eight games all tournament.

"I think I did very well today - I had a good game plan and followed it perfectly," said Azarenka. "I was going for my shots and playing comfortably and confidently."

Azarenka next plays No. 9 seed Vera Zvonareva, who downed Gisela Dulko 6-1, 7-5.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts during the third round match of women's singles agasint Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship at Hisense Arena in Melbourne Park, Jan.23, 2010. Serena won 2-0.

Next up for Venus Williams is Francesca Schiavone after the 17th seed pulled off a 6-2, 6-2 victory over 10th seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Also progressing through is China's No. 16 seed Li Na, who beat Daniela Hantuchova 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. Li next faces the winner between Caroline Wozniacki and Shahar Peer.

In men's draw, top-ranked Roger Federer had no trouble in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over No. 31 Albert Montanes of Spain.

"It was important to come through the first week," Federer said. "I feel good, I feel confident. Physically I'm fine and mentally fresh and that's the way you want to go into the second week."

Nikolay Davydenko, Federer's potential quarterfinal opponent, extended his impressive winning run with a 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 30 Juan Monaco of Argentina.

Davydenko will next face Fernando Verdasco, who advanced when Austria's Stefan Koubek retired due to a virus after losing the first set 6-1.

Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during the third round match of women's singles agasint Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship at Hisense Arena in Melbourne Park, Jan.23, 2010. Serena won 2-0.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts during the third round match of women's singles agasint Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship at Hisense Arena in Melbourne Park, Jan.23, 2010. Serena won 2-0.
(Xinhua)