Australian Open 2016: Sharapova, Serena cruise into 3rd round

Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova beat unseeded Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-2, 6-1 to move into the third round of Australian OpenMelbourne: Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova beat unseeded Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-2, 6-1 to move into the third round of Australian Open, here on Wednesday.

Sharapova got the better of Sanovich in 71 minute match and will now take on young American Lauren Davis, who reached her second Australian Open third round after Magdalena Rybarikova retired due to a right ankle injury.

Meanwhile, defending champion Serena Williams had an easy day on Wednesday as she defeated Hsieh Su-Wei, 6-1, 6-2, in exactly 60 minutes. Serena will now play against Daria Kasatkina, who defeated Ana Konjuh in straight sets.

But two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova lost 6-4 6-4 to 21-year-old Australian Daria Gavrilova.

British number ones Andy Murray and Johanna Konta resume their campaigns in the second round on Thursday.