A determined Maria Sharapova handed out a tennis lesson to the ageing Venus Williams at the Australian Open Friday, crushing the veteran American in straight sets.

Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open fourth round without dropping serve Friday and Maria Sharapova was also a class apart as she floored seven-time major-winner Venus Williams.

A rampant Maria Sharapova blitzed Venus Williams on Friday as she led a parade of top women's seeds into the Australian Open fourth round.

Second seed Maria Sharapova sent Venus Williams crashing out of the Australian Open Friday in a crushing straight sets defeat in the third round.

Novak Djokovic remained on track to defend his Australian Open title with another dominant win to reach the fourth round as South African Kevin Anderson scored an upset Friday.

The women's top seeds barely shifted out of first gear Friday with Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Li Na leading the drive into the Australian Open fourth round.

Agnieszka Radwanska won her 12th match in a row Friday to power into the Australian Open fourth round in her best ever start to a season, something she put down to a new-found confidence.

China's top player Li Na breezed past Romania's Sorana Cirstea in straight sets Friday to ensure a place in the Australian Open's fourth round.

Brash young Australian Bernard Tomic gets the chance to back up his big talk in his much anticipated showdown with the great Roger Federer in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday.

British teen sensation Laura Robson is riding a wave of confidence and says her gruelling Australian Open upset of world number eight Petra Kvitova was one of the best, and toughest, of her career.

Rafael Nadal, out of action since the middle of last season because of injury, will now make his return at next month's ATP claycourt event in Vina del Mar, Chile, a week earlier than expected, he revealed on Thursday.

Wild-haired LMFAO musician Redfoo refused to "kiss and tell" but hinted at a relationship with tennis star Victoria Azarenka after appearing in her supporters' enclosure at the Australian Open.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, out of action since the middle of last season because of injury, will return at next month's ATP event in Vina del Mar, the tournament's organisers confirmed on Thursday.

Serena Williams survived a busted lip and Roger Federer and Andy Murray raced into round three on a day of ice-packs and sunscreen as temperatures soared at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Roger Federer set up an intriguing clash with cocky young Australian Bernard Tomic as title rival Andy Murray booked a straightforward passage into the Australian Open third round on Thursday.

Kimiko Date-Krumm smashed through another age barrier and Ayumi Morita set up a dream clash with Serena Williams as Japanese women starred at the Australian Open on Thursday.

An increasingly muscular Andy Murray Thursday said he's comfortable playing in his new tight shirt, but draws the line at 1980s-style short shorts.

Serena Williams bounced back from an injured ankle to sweep into the Australian Open third round, but now has a fat lip to worry about after hitting herself in the face.

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka conceded just one game in a lopsided second-round romp at the Australian Open, while Serena Williams shook off an ankle injury to progress.

Andy Murray has played in tougher conditions but he was glad he made short work of reaching the Australian Open's third round on a sweltering day on Thursday.