Medvedev shocked; Swiatek, Tsitsipas ease into 4th round

MELBOURNE: Top seed Iga Swiatek continued to carve her way through the Australian Open draw on Friday, dismantling Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1 in bright sunshine on the Margaret Court Arena to reach the fourth round.

The 21-year-old world number one, who is looking to add a first Melbourne Park crown to the French and US Open titles she won last year, was all business as she whipped through the first set in 23 minutes.

World number 100 Bucsa had simply no answer to Swiatek's all-court game and the Spaniard only managed to avoid the dreaded 'double bagel' scoreline by holding her last service game.

Swiatek should face a tougher test in Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the last 16 after the big-serving Kazakh earlier upset last year's losing finalist Danielle Collins.

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas made short work of Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, winning 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3 to reach the fourth round, shortly after organisers defended their schedule after the previous day's late finish.

Playing in glorious sunshine after two days marked by wild swings in the weather, the highest-seeded man in the draw after the premature exits of holder Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud played near-flawless tennis to the delight of Greek fans in the Rod Laver Arena.

Tsitsipas has not dropped a set in the tournament as he chases a maiden Grand Slam. But the 2021 French Open runner-up came close midway through the match, saving a set point in the second set before doubling his advantage following a tiebreak.

Jannik Sinner outlasted Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the fourth round while Barbora Krejcikova made swift progress after organizers defended their schedule at the Grand Slam over the previous day's late finish.

Former French Open winner Krejcikova, a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park in 2022, went through with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Anhelina Kalinina.

Yoshihito Nishioka ousted Rafael Nadal's conqueror Mackenzie McDonald to become only the third Japanese man to record 100 Tour-level wins.

The 27-year-old reached his first round of 16 at a Grand Slam with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-2 victory over the American.

It was the left-hander's 100th career victory, matching the feat of fellow Japanese Kei Nishikori (431) and Shuzo Matsuoka (148).

He also joined them as the only men from Japan to progress to the fourth round at a major tournament, with Nishikori making the grade 22 times and Matsuoka once.

American seventh seed Coco Gauff extended her 2023 win-streak to eight matches as the 18-year-old -- who has not dropped a set this year -- beat compatriot Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-2.

Jessica Pegula advanced after the American third seed comfortably beat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-0, 6-2 in 65 minutes to set up a last-16 clash with former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.

Her compatriot and 13th seed Danielle Collins was knocked out, however, by Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who won 6-2 5-7 6-2.

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