Melbourne: Serena Williams, seeded 16th, knocked World No.1 Simona Halep out of the Australian Open after winning the Round of 16 match 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Rod Laver Arena on Monday. Serena Williams has looked in ominous form so far at Melbourne Park, as she seeks one more Grand Slam title to put her alongside Margaret Court’s record of 24. The 37-year-old 23-time Grand Slam winner will play seventh seed Karolina Pliskova, who defeated two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza in straight sets earlier on Monday, for a place in semifinals. World number one Halep had struggled in her opening two matches, where she was extended to three sets in both. The reigning French Open champion finally hit form to beat Serena’s sister Venus in round three.

With top seed Simona Halep, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Kerber out of the tournament already, Serena looks well on course to win her eighth Australian Open crown.

Djokovic survives examination

Novak Djokovic dropped a set for the second match running but survived a tough examination by 15th seed Daniil Medvedev on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals. The world number one won 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 and will face Japan’s eighth seed Kei Nishikori for a place in the semi-finals.