Australian Open

Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova move into third round of Australian Open

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 20 January 2016

Defending champion Serena Williams and fifth seed Maria Sharapova secure comfortable wins to take them through to the third round of the Australian Open.

Defending champion Serena Williams and fifth seed Maria Sharapova have progressed into the third round of the Australian Open without dropping a set.

Serena Williams in action on day three of the Australian Open on January 20, 2016 © Getty Images

Williams breezed through a 6-1 6-2 triumph over Hsieh Su-Wei in just over an hour, immediately breaking her opponent's serve in the first set.

The American world number one went 5-1 up in less than 30 minutes, and Hsieh had a sniff of a break point, but Williams managed to save before taking a one-set lead.

The 34-year-old kept her momentum as she earned an instant double break before seeing off her opponent and comfortably securing a place in the next round.

Maria Sharapova in action on day three of the Australian Open on January 20, 2016 © Getty Images

Earlier in the day on the Rod Laver Arena, Sharapova overcame Belarusian opponent Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1 in one hour and 13 minutes.

The 2008 champion lost serve twice in the first set, but it did not damage her campaign as Sasnovich could not hold serve in any of her four games.

Sharapova went an early break up in the second set, and Sasnovich tried to fight back by saving three break points in the fourth game, but it was not enough as the Russian broke again before taking the set and the match.