Aryna Sabalenka And Jaanik Sinner Fire Warning Shots At Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner emphatically stated their Australian Open title credentials on Friday, surging into the fourth round as a below-par Novak Djokovic prepared for another testing examination. US Open champion Coco Gauff also signalled her intent in a 6-0, 6-2 romp while 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva kept her dream run going with a battling fightback against France's Diane Parry. Belarusian defending champion Sabalenka was unstoppable in a crushing 6-0, 6-0 canter over 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena while Sinner dropped just four games in crushing Sebastian Baez, ranked 29.

Rejuvenated former teen prodigy Amanda Anisimova was also a winner on day six at Melbourne Park, ending Paula Badosa's injury comeback 7-5, 6-4.

Anisimova, returning from eight months on the sidelines due to burnout and mental health issues, faces Sabalenka next and will have to lift her level to stand any chance.

The second seed, who won her maiden Grand Slam crown in Melbourne last year, has dropped just six games over three dominant matches so far.

Wearing vivid red, she was in the zone against Ukraine's Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena, racing home in just 52 minutes.

"Last year (world number one) Iga (Swiatek) won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals," she said. "I'm trying to get closer to her.

"I'm super happy with the level I'm playing at so far and hopefully I can keep going like that or even better."

Anisimova, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and won her first WTA title aged 17, sparking sky-high expectations, surprised even herself in beating former world number two Badosa.

"It's quite unbelievable after taking some time off, but I'm really feeling good," said the American, who is now aged