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Australian Open 2017: Champion Angelique Kerber cruises into last 16

Related Topics: Angelique Kerber

Defending champion Angelique Kerber gave a much-improved performance as she beat Czech Kristyna Pliskova for the loss of just four games to reach the last 16 at the Australian Open.

The German top seed, who needed three sets in her opening two matches, won 6-0 6-4 in Melbourne.

Kerber goes on to face Coco Vandeweghe in round four after the American beat Canada's Eugenie Bouchard 6-4 3-6 7-5.

Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are in action later on Friday.

Russian eighth seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova was another winner early on day five, although she needed three hours and 36 minutes to beat Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 6-4 5-7 9-7.