World number one Novak Djokovic sealed his place in round four on day six of the Australian Open, beating Fernando Verdasco in straight sets.
The Serb was one of a number of top seeds to progress, with Kei Nishikori, Stanislas Wawinka and Serena Williams among those also claiming wins.
There was a shock in the women's draw though as fourth seed Petra Kvitova was knocked out in straight sets by American teenager Madison Keys.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Hello everyone. It's day six at the Australian Open, and the second half of the third round matches will be getting underway very shortly. The drama reached new levels yesterday. Roger Federer is no longer in the tournament, and it's the turn of Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka to take centre stage today. Can they avoid shock exits?
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Before we go any further, make sure you have a read of Sports Mole's preview of the sixth day's play at Melbourne Park.
The first set of matches are just a few moments away from getting started. It's the women who kick things off on day six, with Venus Williams taking on Camila Giorgi and Agnieszka Radwanska meeting 30th seed Varvara Lepchenko. Serena Williams will follow Radwasnka vs. Varvara on the Rod Laver Arena at around 1.30am (UK time). We'll have game-by-game coverage of her third-round clash with Elina Svitolina on this blog.
.@MariaSharapova takes flight during a training session this morning #ausopen #sharapova pic.twitter.com/uZArgxWybE
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2015
UPDATE: Radwanska needed just 44 minutes to beat Johanna Larsson in the previous round, and she seems in no mood to waste energy today. The sixth seed has just won the opener 6-0 against Varvara Lepchenko.
UPDATE: Venus Williams has looked in very good form in the early stages of the year, but the experienced American is facing a battle to stay in the Australian Open. Camila Giorgi is a set and a break to the good
Stop. Rafa time! A legion of @RafaelNadal fans watch on as the no.3 seed takes to the court #ausopen pic.twitter.com/PtcO6D4KVu
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2015
Radawanska was a break ahead in the second set against Lepchenko, but the American has broken back to keep that match alive. Serena Williams will be on court after that game, and we'll be turning our attention to the top seed then.
Elina Svitolina has the challenge of taking on Serena Williams today. The Ukrainian has been to the third round of a Grand Slam just once before - 12 months ago at this tournament - and she is looking to build on what was a promising 2014 season for the 20-year-old. Tests do not get bigger than this one, though. Serena Williams has triumphed in Melbourne on five occasions, and she is desperate to win the Australian Open for the first time since 2010. Is there any stopping the top seed today?
RESULT! Agnieszka Radwanska is through to the fourth round. It's now three wins in a row without dropping a set for the 25-year-old, who has just wrapped up a 6-0 7-5 victory over Varvara Lepchenko.
You can now read a full report of Radwanska's triumph over Lepchenko. Williams vs. Svitolina is coming up next on Rod Laver.
#Radwanska moves into the 4R having dropped just NINE games this week, seeing off #Lepchenko 6-0 7-5 #ausopen pic.twitter.com/2JZGX72WKL
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2015
Williams and Svitolina have just arrived on court, with the American appearing to be in no rush to put her bags down. Which Serena will we see today? In truth, Svitolina probably needs her opponent to be below her best.
The first games from the men's draw are set to get underway soon, with Feliciano Lopez taking on Jerzy Janowicz on the Margaret Court Arena, while Benjamin Becker's clash with eighth seed Milos Raonic is next on the Hisense Arena.
Svitolina is seeded 26th for this tournament, and she'll be confident of providing a tough test for the world number one, who is searching for her 19th Grand Slam title. She'll need to be aggressive at the right times, but more importantly, the serve must be solid as a rock today.
UPDATE: Serena's sister, Venus, is locked in a big battle with Giorgi, but she's back on the front foot on the Margaret Court Arena. Girogi was serving for the match at one stage before a Williams break set up the tie-breaker. Williams has won that and the two are heading into a decider.
Here we go then. Williams and Svitolina are ready to get their third-round clash underway. After Federer's loss yesterday, don't you dare predict anything. The top seed will serve first.
BREAK! The first point goes to Svitolina when Williams crashes a forehand into the net, and a lazy backhand on the stretch makes it 0-30. An early opening for the Ukrainian. Williams dominates the next rally to get on the board with a forehand winner. There's some excellent tennis on show in the first game. Another big forehand gets Williams back on level terms, but the movement is not good from the American early on. A sloppy shot into the net gifts Svitolina a break point, and the 26th seed converts when Williams goes long with a forehand. What a start!
It's a nervy start on serve as Svitolina begins with a double fault. Williams steps in to meet the next second serve, and a couple of big ground strokes earn her another point. The next forehand from the American drifts a few inches too long and a backhand into the net makes it 30-30. Svitolina's pace on the baseline will make it difficult for Williams, and her defence is on show to force deuce later in the game. The Ukrainian wastes one advantage before securing a crucial first hold of serve with an ace and a backhand into the net from Williams.
Much better from Williams as she gets Svitolina moving quickly before taking the opening point. Svitolina looks in the mood to frustrate, despite hitting a passing backhand wide after some excellent defensive tennis. A stunning forehand winner from Williams gets her to 40-15, but a lucky net deflection for Svitolina reduces the deficit. There's only one way to clinch your first game. An unstoppable ace.
Svitolina needs to get the first serves in. A weak second serve invites Williams forward, and her powerful forehand is never going to be stopped. There's no such return when Svitolina produces a big first serve down the middle. That could be where this game is won and lost. Svitolina's good form is clear as she delivers a forehand winner of her own and the hold is secured quickly.
BREAK! This is a superb start from Svitolina. She's dominant from the back of the court, and a sluggish Williams doesn't even come close to keeping out a couple of winners from her rival. A forehand is inches away from clipping the line to set up three break points. You might think that would be a turning point. You'd be wrong. Another winner from Svitolina hits the baseline and Williams strikes the net to give the Ukrainian a double break. It's an incredible start on Rod Laver.
BREAK! Svitolina is bouncing at the back of the court as she waits for Williams to take her place for a new game. Williams produces an impressive response with a winner off the second serve, and a double fault opens the door to the top seed. A powerful backhand pins back Svitolina and the drive volley earns Williams three break points. Oh dear. Svitolina delivers another double faults. Is that a sign of nerves?
BREAK! Svitolina just has to keep trusting her game plan after a disappointing service game, and she is. The power of the 26th seed appears to be coming as a shock to Williams, who is left with hand on hip as her rival takes a 0-30 lead. Svitolina almost digs herself out of trouble with some good defence, but Williams is at the net to power home the volley. Williams gets back to 30-30, but the break point is Svitolina's when the American can't return a passing forehand. Her second ace brings up deuce. Brilliant. The Melbourne crowd is enjoying this display from Svitolina, who follows the perfect slice with an excellent cross-court forehand. Williams comes forward to find the net in the next point and Svitolina will serve for the set.
BREAK! Wow. It looks like a furious forehand from Williams as she hits the net halfway up off the second serve. A superb forehand follows to get the crowd involved once again. Svitolina gets the length wrong moments later to offer her rival the chance to finish with another winner. A clever second serve from the Ukrainian pulls it back to 30-30, but it's break point to Williams when she rushes a backhand from the baseline. Excellent tennis once again as she allows the lob to bounce before sending Williams the wrong way with a forehand. However, a double fault arrives at the worst possible time. Williams dominates the next rally to break back once again.
Much better from Williams. Another superbly constructed point from Svitolina midway through the game is the only bright spot for the Ukrainian, who is unable to prevent the world number one from clinching the hold. Svitolina will serve for the set once again.
SET! Two first serves in, two points for Svitolina, who gets to 30-0 with a brilliant forehand winner. Williams is unable to return the next serve, and her rival has three set points. She does it! Williams drifts long with the backhand and Svitolina takes the opener. Are we going to see another huge upset?
The lead is completely deserved for Svitolina, who has been fantastic apart from a couple of nervy moments on serve. It's just not clicking for Williams at the back of the court. Her movement has been sluggish so far. Svitolina takes the first two points but a couple of errors hand the next two to Williams. Much better from the top seed, who takes a couple of steps forward to unleash the backhand winner. Svitolina does superbly to stay in the next rally, but Williams takes game with a lovely cross-court backhand.
BREAK! Svitolina needs a good start to the second set, but a double fault puts her under a bit of pressure. What's the response? A brilliant forehand into the corner to leave Williams helpless. It doesn't matter though. Williams responds with the next three points to secure the break of serve when Svitolina double faults again. Is that the tide turning?
RESULT! Venus Williams was a set and a break behind to Giorgi, but she's responded magnificently to win 4-6 7-6 6-1. She's in the fourth round. Will Serena be there?
Svitolina looks more comfortable returning, and her aggression is making life difficult as she races to two break points with some superb tennis. Williams is having none of it. The huge shout of "come on" when she forces deuce can probably be heard all over Melbourne Park. Two advantages are wasted - the latter when Williams double faults - but Svitolina slips to hit the net with a forehand on the next point. Williams controls another rally before miscuing a forehand well wide of the target. Five deuces come and go, but Williams finally holds.
BREAK! We shouldn't be surprised. Williams always seems to produce a response after a below-par start. In fairness to Svitolina, she's still playing well, but the Ukrainian is being tested a lot more now. A pump of the fist follows when she executes the perfect slice volley to go 30-15 up. Williams then hammers a forehand into the net. However, the big ground strokes aren't hitting the same areas for Svitolina, who gifts the next three points to Williams before seeing the world number one break again.
BREAK! Better from Svitolina. A slightly more aggressive approach from the back of the court hands the 26th seed the opening two points. Williams thinks a Svitolina forehand is going long, and can only find the net after seeing the ball clip the line. Three break points. It's a break to love for Svitolina. She'll need to produce something special to stay in the set, but that should restore some confidence.
Svitolina's serve is collapsing, and that's not a good sign against Williams. The returns are superb as the American takes the first two points. An unforced error from Williams is followed by a brilliant forehand winner from the Ukrainian, who gets the luck from the net when her opponent watches a deflection take her backhand wide of the line. There's no stopping a forehand return winner from Williams, and she finds the break point with another thunderous return of serve. How can you respond to that? Well, clipping the line with a fantastic forehand helps. Even Williams can't help but flash a smile at the Ukrainian. Williams delights the crowd by somehow wrestling back the control in the next rally, before powering home a drive volley. Svitolina saves another break point. It's a fine hold from Svitolina, who pulls another game back with a forehand winner and a big first serve.
A love to hold arrives at the perfect time for Williams, who offers no chances to Svitolina to move within a game of the second set.
Becker vs. Raonic and Lopez vs. Janowicz are both underway, so the action just keeps on coming from Melbourne. We'll stay focused on the Rod Laver Arena, but there will be updates from the other third-round matches.
Svitolina needs to find a way to get her first-serve percentage up. Williams unlocks the door to another break with a stunning backhand return winner at 15-15, and the door is kicked open when she repeats the trick moments later. Svitolina attacks on serve, but she misses the baseline and Williams is back level.
Svitolina takes the first point of the deciding set, but a poorly timed slice from the Ukrainian gets Williams back level. An ace down the middle leaves the 26th seed helpless. It's wonderful tennis from Williams, who follows some excellent defence with some powerful ground strokes to edge out her rival in one of the longest rallies of the match. An unreturned second serve hands the game to the top seed.
BREAK! The pressure on Svitolina is unrelenting. Williams won't back down as he powers her way to the first two points, before just missing the line with a fantastic backhand. Svitolina's inability to put away a volley costs her as Williams unleashes the forehand winner to set up two break points. Another break of serve is secured at the second chance. The result is beginning to look inevitable.
Williams looks furious when she misses the line with a forehand, but another ace should improve her mood. Svitolina comes to the net to take the next point when Williams strikes the tape on the stretch. Wait a minute, Williams is left flat-footed by a backhand winner. Two break points to the Ukrainian. Can she convert? Not a chance. A pumped up Williams fights back to take the game in impressive fashion.
BREAK! Svitolina doesn't seem to be approaching the match with the same confidence she was in the opening set. A double fault is followed by a fine volley from Williams. 0-30. The world number one then catches a poor drop volley to bring up three break points. Svitolina gets two back, the latter with an ace. The umpire overrules a line judge to call the next first serve out, but a successful challenge from the Ukrainian forces deuce. A fourth and fifth break point arrives. Svitolina keeps fighting though, and she saves another two more. It's sixth time lucky on break point. Williams is two games away from the fourth round.
This match is surely over now. A seventh game in a row for Williams arrives when she holds to love to leave Svitolina on the brink of exiting the Australian Open.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Two big first serves are too hot for Williams to handle, but two superb winners on the backhand side get her back level. Williams is eyeing up every serve, and she dominates the next rally to earn match point. Great response from Svitolina, who finds the line with an ace. A wayward forehand brings up another match point, and there's no mistake this time as Williams steps into the second serve to end the match with yet another backhand winner.
It wasn't pretty early on, but after losing the opening set Williams dropped just two more games on her way to beating Svitolina, who has once again suggested she has a very bright future. The headlines belong to Williams though, and she will continue her bid for a sixth Australian Open title with a fourth-round clash against Garbine Muguruza.
You can now read a full report of another victory for Williams. Can anyone stop the world number one?
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UPDATE: Milos Raonic is closing in on a place in the fourth round. The Canadian is two sets and a break up against Benjamin Becker.
There's also good news for Feliciano Lopez, who took the first set on a tie-break against Jerzy Janowicz and has secured an early break in the second. Stanislas Wawrinka is in the early stages of his match with Jarkko Nieminen, but there's been no breakthroughs yet.
Serena Williams has been reacting to her win over Elina Svitolina, and she was quick to praise the influence of her sister Venus, who will also be playing in the fourth round.
"When in doubt start running, that's what Venus always told me, and that helped," the world number one revealed. "I looked up & saw Venus was up 4-1 & thought 'come on Serena, you can do it too'. We always motivate each other."
RESULT: We keep hearing about the younger generation coming through to challenge the stars of the sport, so is it time for 24-year-old Milos Raonic to claim his first Grand Slam title? The eighth seed has just recorded a third straight-sets win to beat Benjamin Becker and book a place in the fourth round.
#Lopez is leading #Janowicz 2 sets to love on @MCourtArena. Who will this crowd get to see go through to R4? #ausopen pic.twitter.com/VvODRDb2r0
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2015
UPDATE: Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka is looking in confident mood in the Rod Laver Arena. The fourth seed is a set and a break up against Jarkko Nieminen.
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RESULT! Feliciano Lopez is through to round four. The Spaniard has set up a meeting with Milos Raonic by beating Jerzy Janowicz 7-6 6-4 7-6.
RESULT! The defending champion continues his bid for a second title in Melbourne. Wawrinka was rarely troubled in a 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory over Nieminen, and he will meet either Vasek Pospisil or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the fourth round.
If you've missed any of the action from today's matches, make sure you visit our live scores page for all of the results and reports from the key games at the Australian Open. It's been an action-packed day, but there's still more to come as the likes of Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori and Petra Kvitova look to book a spot in round four.
Kei Nishikori is underway in his meeting with unseeded American Steve Johnson. The fifth seed came closer than ever to winning a Grand Slam when he was beaten in the final of the US Open last year, but can he go one step further in Melbourne?
At 8am we'll be turning our attention to Novak Djokovic, who meets 31st Fernando Verdasco for a place in the fourth round. The world number one is looking for his fifth title in Melbourne, and with Roger Federer losing yesterday, can anyone stop the Serb? A match against Verdasco, who was a semi-finalist in 2009, is not an easy challenge at this stage.
UPDATE: Is there an upset on the cards? Nishikori will need to come from behind to reach the fourth round after losing the opening set to Johnson on a tie-break. However, the fifth seed is already a break up in the second set.
UPDATE: Nishikori is back level with Johnson after cruising to a 6-1 success in the second set. You'd have to make him a firm favourite to record the victory from here.
There's trouble for another seed. Big-serving John Isner has lost the first-set tie-break to Gilles Muller, and he faces a tough battle if he is to deny his Dutch rival.
It's time to focus on the top seed and the world number one. Djokovic will be on court in just a few moments as he looks to negotiate a tricky match with Verdasco. If Verdasco produces his best form, this could be a thrilling third-round clash.
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Djokovic and Verdasco are on court in the Rod Laver Arena warming up in preparation for this morning's encounter. Verdasco has beaten the world number one four times in their previous meetings, but the last of those came in 2010.
The Serbian has looked a little below par in his earlier matches. He was suffering with a fever earlier this month, and is still working his way back to peak fitness following the illness.
Right then, the players are ready to get the match underway, and it will be Verdasco serving first.
Verdasco appears to be under pressure early on as he drops a couple of points on his own serve with a couple of wayward shots. The Spaniard has a big serve though, and he uses it to pin Djokovic at the back of the court, sealing the game when the top seed slices his backhand wide.
It's a straight-forward start to the match for Djokovic as he comfortably takes his opening service game. Verdasco manages to get his returns in, but a couple come up short, allowing Djokovic to show off his pace around the court and make a series of winners.
Djokovic attacks the 31st seed's serve to claim the first couple of points, but a long forehand from the world number one followed by an ace by Versdasco get the game back level. Djokovic doesn't want to let the chance to, sliding behind the baseline to bring up the first break point of the match, but Verdasco battles for for deuce. He misses the chance to put the game away, serving a double fault, but he responds quickly with an ace before Djokovic fires into the net on the next point to give the Spaniard the game.
There's plenty of action going on elsewhere at Melbourne Park at the minute. Ninth seed David Ferrer and France's Gilles Simon are just warming up on the Margaret Court Arena, while Kei Nishikori has just taken a 2-1 lead on the Hisense Arena after dropping the opening set. 19th seed John Isner is in action too, he's a set down on court three.
After a lengthy game a few moments ago, Djokovic wastes no time in his own service game, blasting a series of well-timed forehands past his opponent, who has so far picked up just one point against the top seed's serve.
At 30-30, Djokovic stops the rally to challenge, believing Verdasco's forehand to be long, but it was a back call by the world number one as it was right on the line, and Verdasco manages to clinch the game on the next point with a big serve forcing a poor backhand from the Serb.
Djokovic really is cruising through his service games in this opening set. He notches up another hold to love as Verdasco tries too hard with a couple of forehands, firing long, before Djokovic comes inside the baseline to seal it with a backhand.
Verdasco comes into the net, but he's caught in two minds whether to smash or volley, and ends up doing neither, hitting long to give Djokovic the chance to break. Djokovic thinks he's got him with a forehand down the sideline, but he slightly overcooks it, sending the ball a fraction long. Verdasco turns up the heat on his serve, serving up aces at 130mph and 136mph to keep the opening set on serve.
Djokovic drops just his second point on serve at the start of the game, slicing a forehand wide, but he quickly responds stretching the Spaniard to force a series of errors from him, before the top seed wraps it up with a backhand winner. Verdasco really has put any pressure on the Djokovic serve yet.
Djokovic is one the attack again, and he brings up another two break point, but he loses the first with a mis-cued forehand, before another powerful ace takes the game to deuce. The Spaniard takes the game when Djokovic is unable to return another big serve from the 31st seed, slicing it into the net.
Djokovic hits his first ace of the match to take a 30-0 love before two long forehands from Verdasco seal another easy hold for the top seed.
This opening set appears to be rapidly heading towards a tiebreak as the duo share the first four points of the game before Djokovic mis-times his backhand, allowing Verdasco to see it out with an ace. The top seed will have to serve to stay in the set again next.
Djokovic tries to fire a forehand down the line to wrap up the game, but it fails to clear the net. He gets it on the next point though with a cross-court effort, so it's tiebreak time.
Djokovic *0-1 Verdasco. Verdasco claims the opening point with a stunning forehand down the line.
Djokovic *0-2 Verdasco. The Spaniard gets the minibreak as Djokovic fires long.
Djokovic 1-2* Verdasco
Djokovic 1-3* Verdasco
Djokovic *2-3 Verdasco
Djokovic *2-4 Verdasco
Djokovic 3-4* Verdasco
Djokovic 3-5* Verdasco
Djokovic *4-5 Verdasco. The Spaniard picks a bad moment to make a double fault.
Djokovic *5-5 Verdasco
Djokovic 6-5* Verdasco. Verdasco hits a backhand into the net to give Djokovic set point.
Djokovic 6-6* Verdasco. The 31st seed saves the set point with an ace.
Djokovic *7-6 Verdasco. Verdasco slips while stretching for a forehand, and he hands Djokovic another set point, this time on his own serve.
Djokovic *7-7 Verdasco. The Spaniard hits a phenomenal forehand down the sideline to keep himself in this highly-competitive tiebreak.
Djokovic 8-7* Verdasco. Verdasco hits long, so it's another Djokovic set point.
Djokovic 8-8* Verdasco
Djokovic *9-8 Verdasco. A long forehand from Verdasco gives Djokovic another chance on his own serve.
SET! Neither player were willing to give up on that set, but it the end it's Djokovic who comes out on top as he stretches Verdasco out wide with a forehand, and the Spaniard can only return his backhand to the net to give the top seed the opener after an hour on court.
While that tiebreak was going on, Kei Nishikori completed his comeback, beating Johnson 6-7 6-1 6-2 6-3. Meanwhile, John Isner has lost a second set in his match against Gilles Muller, while David Ferrer is already a set and a break up against Gilles Simon.
Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka has been quietly making his way through the draw, and he admits that he is happy to be going under the radar.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Having been made to fight for every point in the tiebreak, Djokovic makes a quick start to the second set, hitting some superb forehands before forcing a poor backhand return from his opponent to get the first game on the board.
Former champion Rafael Nadal has looked a little off his best so far in this tournament. He's said that he would like t see the tournament moved back a couple of weeks to give the players longer to prepare for a Grand Slam.
Top seed in the women's draw, Serena Williams, came from a set down to book her place in the fourth round earlier. She's revealed that she it rooting for Britain's Andy Murray in the men's competition.
BREAK! while neither player managed to get a break on the board in the first set, Djokovic takes the first opportunity in the second, stretching Verdasco with a series of excellent backhands. Verdasco tries to respond with some more big serving, but this time the top seed was ready for it, and his return forced a mistake from Verdasco to see out the game.
Verdasco immediately gets the chance to break back as Djokovic's forehand deserts him, giving the Spaniard a 40-0 lead. The Serb responds superbly though, firing three aces in a row past his opponent to bring up deuce. Djokovic quickly brings up advantage, before the 31st seed fails to clear the net with a return, letting the world number one off the hook.
Andreas Seppi caused the biggset shock of the tournament so far yesterday, beating Roger Federer to set up a fourth-round meeting with Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios. Here's the Italian carb loading ahead of that meeting tomorrow:
What does an Italian enjoy most in an authentic Italian restaurant? Pizza of course. #Seppi tucks in at Pelligrini's pic.twitter.com/wwhw6q2ppD
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2015
Verdasco finally gets himself on the board in the second set, serving his quickest ace of the match so far at 137mph to wrap it up after a sloppy Djokovic forehand had given him the lead in the game.
Djokovic has really found his rhythm on serve now as he fires another two aces past his opponent on his way to a 40-0 lead before sending a pacy backhand down the line to clinch a comfortable hold of serve. He looked solid on serve in the first set, but he's untouchable at the minute.
If you want to read more about Nishikori's fight back from a set down against Steve Johnson, you can now read our match report.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Gilles Muller has completed his surprise straight-sets win over 19th seed John Isner on court three. The unseeded player comes through 7-6 7-6 6-4, and will face the winner of the tie between Djokovic and Verdasco in the next round.
Ferdasco is keeping himself in the set, capitalising on a mis-timed volley from Djokovic by turning to the big serve again, blasting another ace past the world number one of his way to a fairly straight-forward hold.
Djokovic is really cruising in his own games now. Verdasco gifts him the first two point with a couple of long effort before a smooth forehand to the baseline and a volley seal the game for the world number one, leaving him just a game short of a two-set lead.
A couple of sloppy shots from Verdasco as well as a superb forehand winner give Djokovic two set point. The first goes begging through as Djokovic hits his backhand long, while a shot to the net on the next point brings up deuce. Djokovic has another set point when Verdasco serves another point, but the Spaniard responds with a couple of big serves, including an ace to see out the game.
SET! Djokovic gets the first two points with a pair of well-time forehand winners. The 31st seed tried to put pressure on his opponent with a stunning forehand winner of his own, but the errors cost the Spaniard as he fired wide twice to hand Djokovic the two-set lead.
Verdasco isn't giving in as he opens the third set with a hold to love. The Spaniard's powerful serve comes up trumps again, stretching Djokovic at the back of the court before the Serb sliced a forehand a fraction wide to hand the 31st seed the game.
Djokovic continues to look untouchable on serve, firing an ace past the Spaniard before wrapping it up with a cross-court forehand winner.
John Isner's defeat means that there will be no American men in the fourth round at this year's Australian Open. You can read all about his straight sets defeat to Gilles Muller here.
Djokovic has a chance to get a break on the board as Verdasco double faults to slip from a 40-15 lead to deuce before a wayward forehand gives the top seed advantage. However, he's still being stretched by the Spaniard's booming serve, and his return is out. Another poor return gives Verdasco advantage, and he makes the most of his opportunity, pouncing on a weak return with a punchy forehand to keep the third set on serve.
Verdasco is pushing a little harder on the return as he tries to find a way back into this match. He forces a couple of mistakes from Djokovic to keep himself in the game at 30-30, but the top seed edges ahead before sealing it with an ace.
BREAK! Djokovic is cruising towards the fourth round now as he breaks his opponent's serve in the third set. Verdasco saved a break point earlier in the game, but at deuce he could not get his forehand over the net, giving the top seed another chance, and the Spaniard was let down by his backhand on the next point to hand Djokovic the game.
Victoria Azarenka sealed her place in the fourth earlier with a straight sets win, and the two-time champion has been poking fun at herself on her Instagram account:
Djokovic quickly consolidates the break with another quick hold. Verdasco gets a point back with a well struck forehand, but Djokovic sees it out with two more aces.
Verdasco has struggled to play at his highest level since losing the first set, but that game was one of his best. He opens with another powerful ace before firing a forehand past the world number one. A wayward backhand hands the 31st seed the game, but he'll need to attack the Djokovic serve if he is to have any hope of getting back into this match.
Djokovic leaves himself just a game short of a place in the fourth round as he withstands some solid returning from the Spaniard to fire a forehand winner down the sideline before stretching his opponent out wide with an accurate serve.
Djokovic will have to try to serve it out next as Verdasco fires some more impressive serves at the Serb to wrap up the game. Djokovic tried to put him under pressure with a sliced backhand, but a forehand winner sealed it for the 31st seed.
GAME, SET & MATCH! Verdasco is battling to the bitter end as he tries to level the set. He edges ahead in the game with a volley, but slicing his forehand wide, while a long shot from the baseline gives Djokovic match point. Another wildly-long effort from Verdasco seals it for the world number one though.
So that's Djokovic safely through to the fourth round at the Australian Open, where he is looking for his fifth title. The world number one had to be at his best against the resilient Spaniard, but his determination wasn't enough in the end.
If you're just joining us and want to catch up on Djokovic's win, here's our match report. The world number one spoke on court at the end of the match, and admits that coming out on top in the closely-fought first-set tiebreak really helped set up the win.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
There's still a couple of results to come this morning. David Ferrer is currently serving for the match in his clash with Gilles Simon. Meanwhile, Wimbledon champions Petra Kvitova is just getting underway in her contest against Madison Keys.
Sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska faces a tricky tie in the fourth round as she comes up against four-time champion Venus Williams, who looks to be in strong form this year. The Pole has said that it will be a "great challenge" to beat the American.
Despite David Ferrer serving for the match against Gilles Simon a few minutes ago, the Frenchman hit back and managed to take the third set. The Spaniard still leads 2-1, but the comeback could be on for the 18th seed.
Fifth seed Kei Nishikori needed four sets to book his place in the fourth round after losing the first set against Steve Johnson earlier. The Japanese player has admitted that he was nervous at the start of the match.
Victoria Azarenka is looking to add her third Australian Open title this year, as believes that she is playing better than when she last won in Melbourne in 2013.
Sticking with Azarenka, she faces last year's beaten finalist, Dominika Cibulkova in the next round, but she thinks that she is ready for a tough test.
Andreas Seppi will be back in action in the fourth round tomorrow when he takes on Australia's Nick Kyrgios. The Italian beat second seed Roger Federer to reach round four, and he says that he will be trying to maintain his level of tennis.
RESULT! After more than four hours on court, David Ferrer has sealed his spot in the fourth round, beating Gilles Simon in four sets.
Canada's Milos Raonic booked his place in the fourth round earlier this morning. The eighth seed will face Feliciano Lopez next, and admits that he has had a lot of fun of his way to the fourth round.
RESULT! One of the big seeds in the women's draw is out. Fourth seed and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been beaten in straight sets by American teenager Madison Keys. She'll face fellow American Madison Brengle in the fourth round.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Keys and Ferrer claim the final places in the fourth round in the singles competitions, and that brings our coverage to an end for another day. However, make sure you join us again from midnight for another action packed day, with Britain's Andy Murray in action in what promises to be a thrilling encounter with Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov. Eugenie Bouchard, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep are among the other top-ranked players involved on day seven. Until then, thanks for joining us today, goodbye.
