Azarenka into quarter-finals

Victoria Azarenka became the first woman to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open courtesy of a straight-sets win over Iveta Benesova.

The Belarusian has yet to drop a set in Melbourne and was again impressive in beating Benesova 6-2 6-2 in 77 minutes.

Azarenka came out firing and a break in the opening game set the tone, the third seed's greater power from the baseline proving too much for her Czech opponent.

Another break handed her a 4-1 lead and she duly served out the set.

Benesova required a strong start to the second set to have any chance of hitting back, but instead Azarenka broke once more.

She then established a 3-0 lead when a dispirited Benesova double-faulted.

From there on in it was a stroll in the Melbourne sunshine for Azarenka as she eased to a last-eight meeting with Agnieszka Radwanska.

Radwanska prevailed in a one-sided contest against Julia Goerges, winning 6-1 6-1 in just 54 minutes.

The Pole's consistency proved key with just three unforced errors compared with 27 from Goerges, who sprayed the ball all over Hisense Arena.

Radwanska dominated from the outset, breaking six times as Goerges imploded.