Australian Open 2020: Barty and Serena through as Osaka, Gauff set up showdown

Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams moved through at the Australian Open as Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff set up a third-round showdown.

Home favourite and world number one Barty was untroubled on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, continuing her run in Melbourne.

Williams was below her best but still advanced during the night session as her bid for a record-equalling 24th grand slam title continued.

There is also the prospect of a mouthwatering showdown between two of the game’s leading lights on Friday.

BARTY, SERENA UNTROUBLED

Barty brushed past Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-1 6-4 in just 66 minutes on the back of a consistent performance.

The Australian mixed 16 winners – nine of those from the forehand side – with 16 unforced errors, setting up a clash with Kazakh 29th seed Elena Rybakina.

Williams was left frustrated during the second set of her 6-2 6-3 victory over Tamara Zidansek.

The American star was pushed before advancing in one hour, 18 minutes, having committed 28 unforced errors, including 17 in the second set.

Simply sensational @serenawilliams!

Our seven-time champion advances to the third round with a 6-2 6-3 win over Zidansek #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qECnJFeWfh

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020

Next up for Williams is Wang Qiang, the Chinese 27th seed having rushed past Fiona Ferro 6-1 6-2.

OSAKA, GAUFF SET UP BLOCKBUSTER CLASH

Osaka’s title defence stayed alive with a 6-2 6-4 victory over China’s Zheng Saisai.

The Japanese third seed faces her biggest test yet in the third round, where Gauff awaits after the teenager’s comeback win.

Gauff looked set for an exit, trailing Sorana Cirstea 3-0 in the final set.

But the 15-year-old fought back to claim a 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory and reach the third round at a grand slam for the third straight time.

This is a WHOLE mood #AO2020 | #AusOpen | @cocogauff pic.twitter.com/2fMjMWaNaz

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020

Osaka crushed Gauff 6-3 6-0 when the pair met at last year’s US Open.

WOZNIACKI STAYS ALIVE AS KVITOVA, KEYS ADVANCE

Caroline Wozniacki stretched her professional career for at least another match by beating Ukrainian 23rd seed Dayana Yastremska 7-5 7-5.

The 2018 Australian Open champion, who is retiring at the end of the tournament, came from 5-1 down in the first set and 3-0 behind in the second.

Last year’s runner-up, Petra Kvitova, was tested in a 7-5 7-5 victory over Spain’s Paula Badosa while Madison Keys also had moments of concern in her 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 win over Arantxa Rus.

Petra Martic (13) and Aryna Sabalenka (11) were among the seeds to fall, with the latter beaten by Carla Suarez Navarro in their opening-round clash.