Top seed Novak Djokovic had a minor test but still came strong to defeat Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6(10-8),6-3,6-4 on saturday.
Djokovic who has yet to drop a set was made to work in the first set by the 31st seeded Spaniard. The Serb then broke once in each of the next two sets to finish in 2 hours 21 minutes.
Novak will next meet Gilles Muller who defeated American John Isner in straight sets 7-6(7-4),7-6(8-6),6-4.
Defending champion and fourth seed Satnislas Wawrinka cruised into a 6-4,6-2,/f-4 win ove Jarkko Nieminen.
Wawrinka next face a more familiar opponent in the fourth round in person of Guillermo Garcia Lopez who beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-2,6-4,6-4.
Japanese Kei Nishikori also struggled in the first set but still advanced into the last 16 with a 6-7(7-9),6-1,6-2,6-3 win over American Steve Johnson and the Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2015 will now meet Spaniard David Ferrer who beat Gilles Simon 6-2,7-5,5-7,7-6 (7-4) in a thrilling encounter.
Eight seed Milos Raonic will also have a date in the round of 16 with another Spaniard Feliciano lopez who defeated Jerzy Janowicz 7-6(8-6),6-4,7-6,(7-3).
In the ladies,world No. 35 and American Madison Keys stunned Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets 6-4,7-5 to secure her place in the fourth round of a Grand slam for the first time in her career.
Madison keys will next face another American in Brengle Madison for a spot in the final eight.
Victoria Azarenka had a 6-4,6-4 win over Barbara Strycova,while Alize Cornet lost to Cibulkova 7-5,6-2.
TENNIS TITBITS
* Fifth seed and the first Asian Man to reach a Grand Slam final Kei Nishikori says he feels the huge burden of expectation on his shoulders by his home country Japan.
* Spaniard and 12th seed Feliciano Lopez has apologised to the ball-boy he struck with a ball in the Groin at the on going Australian Open.
* Social Media was agog with Roger Federer’s loss to Andreas Seppi and here are some pictures that tells the story.
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