Sharapova and Kerber are both 30, former world number ones and the only two Australian Open winners left in the women's draw, but there was only one player in it. Halep, a former quarter-finalist, will next play Naomi Osaka in her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title after the Japanese star beat Australia's Ashleigh Barty. American Tennys Sandgren, who had never won a Grand Slam match before this year's Australian Open, also progressed. Another Melbourne Park debutant Marton Fucsovics of Hungary is also enjoying his best ever Grand Slam, seeing off Argentine Nicolas Kicker. He could play Roger Federer next with the 19-time Grand Slam winner holding court in an evening match, as does Novak Djokovic.

Source: The Nation Bangkok January 20, 2018 10:18 UTC