Tennis news - Women's round-up: Ashleigh Barty and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova secure dominant wins

Updated 18/01/2019 at 16:07 GMT

Home favourite Ashleigh Barty is through to the fourth round of the Australian Open after beating Maria Sakkari in straight sets 7-5 6-1 at the Rod Laver Arena.

Ashleigh Barty

Image credit: Getty Images

[WATCH AUSTRALIAN OPEN LIVE ON EUROSPORT AND EUROSPORT PLAYER]

The 15th seed is yet to drop a set this week, but required medical attention at the end of the opener after complaining of a stomach problem,. She managed to shake off the issue to progress in straight sets.

Barty had to save two break points in her opening service game, but she managed to get out of a tight spot and it was Sakkari who blinked first with an unforced error.

WTA Miami

Garcia shocks Gauff to reach Miami Open quarter-finals, Boulter knocked out

25/03/2024 at 22:23

Maria Sakkari beat Astra Sharma in the previous round but fell to Ashleigh Barty

Image credit: Getty Images

The Greek benefited from a mis-hit from the Australian to break back immediately, but a succession of aggressive double faults allowed Barty to gain the upper hand and put one foot in the fourth round with the first set.

Barty, with the home crowd spurring her on, fed off Sakkari's inconsistency to clinch the crucial first break of the second set as more intelligent play saw her race clear and finish the job in style.

The 22-year-old will face either Maria Sharapova or for a place in the quarter-finals.

It is the first time that Barty has reached the fourth round in Melbourne, and she said on court afterwards: "This is amazing, it's an amazing sound in here when the roof is closed. To hear all the Aussies out here, it's unbelievable.

"I think lively conditions suit both of us and Maria is a great friend of mine. I am extremely happy to come through in straight sets and to find my way at the end."

Asked how she will recover, the Australian added: "Ice bath, physio, coffee, cricket and I am good!"

Meanwhile, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova swept aside Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets 6-0 6-3.

Pavlyuchenkova lost just three games and dispatched of her opponent in an hour to back up her victory over Kiki Bertens to reach the last 16.

The Russian is seen as a bit of a dark horse in this year's competition having reached the quarter-finals two years ago, and she will face the winner of Sloane Stephens' clash with Petra Martic next.

Eighth seed Petra Kvitova breezed past Swiss Belinda Bencic in the third round with a straight set victory, beating her 6-1, 6-4 in just an hour and eight minutes.

Elsewhere there was an upset for 19th seed Caroline Garcia as American Danielle Collins beat her in straight sets to reach the next round, with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Angelique Kerber showed total class as she destroyed Kimberley Birrell 6-1, 6-0, to further establish herself as a favourite in the tournament.