Iga Swiatek is into the last 16 at a grand slam for a sixth consecutive time after a 6-2 6-3 win over Daria Kasatkina.
The Pole secured a tough straight sets victory to reach the last 16 at a grand slam for the sixth consecutive time.
After a tough start Swiatek increased her level to get past a stubborn Daria Kasatkina in Melbourne.
Swiatek now awaits the winner of Sorana Cirstea and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The early exchanges saw Kasatkina get the upper hand with a good mixture of slice and unique angles as the Russian created two break points in the third game.
However a pattern to this match was that Swiatek was better when it mattered most and the Pole produced some aggressive tennis under pressure to hold serve.
Swiatek then took command of her next returning game and on her third break point broke in a long game to take a 3-1 lead.
Despite taking the early lead Swiatek would be under pressure throughout the entire set on her serve as the Russian exposed some of the Pole’s conservative shot-making.
After saving another couple of break points, Swiatek produced some nice point construction to open up the court and broke for a second time to claim the set 6-2 in 45 minutes.
Once again the Pole was under pressure on her serve in the second set but remained firm with some aces and aggressive tennis.
Swiatek would convert break point in the second set to take a 2-0 lead but Kasatkina would finally turn up the heat when it mattered most and broke straight back.
After levelling the match at 2-2, Kasatkina had a couple of break points to take the initiative in the second set and take control.
But once again Swiatek remained aggressive and bold when it mattered to hold which was followed by a break of serve for a 4-2 lead.
From then on it was about Swiatek who seized control of the match with comfortable service holds to wrap up a very tough straight sets win and reach the last 16 in Melbourne for the third year in a row.
Next for Swiatek will be the winner of Sorana Cirstea v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova with the Pole looking to reach the last eight at the Australian Open for the first time in her career.
