Williams, Sharapova to renew hostilities in quarter finals of Australian Open

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will add another chapter to their fierce rivalry, after both won through to the last eight of the Australian Open with straight sets wins on Day 7.

The pair, who have met in four Grand Slam finals over their storied careers, have been on a quarter-final collision course all week following the release of the 2016 Australian Open women's draw.

On Sunday, neither Williams nor Sharapova fell at the final, fourth-round hurdle and will now renew hostilities on Rod Laver Arena (RLA) in two days in a replay of last year's final.

Sharapova was the first of the decorated duo, who have won 26 Grand Slams titles between them, to hold up their end of the bargain.

The Russian, who boasts five Slams, smashed a career-high 21 aces - complemented by a further 58 winners - in a sturdy fourth-round test against Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic.

Under the roof of RLA for the third time this tournament, the 2008 Open winner showed glimpses of both good and bad.

The 28-year-old trailed twice in the first set against Bencic, a quarter-finalist at last year's U.S. Open, but kept cracking winners - amongst plenty of double faults (seven) and unforced errors (46) - before eking out a 7-5, 7-5 win.

After the hard-earned win, Sharapova was asked about the prospect of facing Williams for the 21st time.

"It was a great (Australian Open) final last year against each other. I came quite close in that second set, but not close enough," Sharapova said in her court-side interview.

"I look forward to playing the best in the world ... that's what she's proven last year and many years, and it will be a great match."

Not long after, Williams swiftly followed Sharapova's lead.

The world No. 1 was at her dominant best on centre court, flattening Russian challenger Margarita Gasparyan in less than an hour.

Williams eased past the little-known 21-year-old with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. The American only offered Aussie onlookers a bland, uncompetitive entre ahead of what fans hope will prove to be a mouth-watering main course when Williams tackles Sharapova later in the week.

Williams reacted in playful shock when informed of her next opponent.

"I had no idea (I was playing her)," she said sarcastically.

"(Sharapova) had a really good match earlier today ... I really have nothing to lose."

Later, before the press, Williams was asked to recall the first time she played Sharapova at Melbourne Park back in 2005, when she infamously recovered from a set and match point down in the semi-final.

"I just remember hitting an inside out forehand ... when I was down match point. I remember hitting it as hard as I could," Williams told reporters.

"That's all I remember."

Both of there career paths have been inextricably linked - for better in Williams' case, and worse in Sharapova's.

Williams has not been beaten by Sharapova since 2004, and maintains a tremendously one-sided 18-2 win-less record.

More recently, the pair only played twice last year. Tuesday's meeting will mark the third time in a row the two women's greats will playoff in a Grand Slam event before the eyes of the world.

Meanwhile, in the mean's draw, Kei Nishikori chased down the would-be winners of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, frustratingly breaking down the 9th-seed before winning 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Endit