Monfils, Kerber win through to Australian Open quarters for first time

Former Australian Open women's champion Victoria Azarenka continued to cruise through her draw of the Australian Open, keeping her dream of a third crown alive on Monday, while Gael Monfils registered his best ever result in Melbourne on Monday.

Azarenka, a two-time winner of the title, easily brushed aside a challenge from Czech world No. 48 Barbora Strycova in straight sets on Monday and said post-match that she felt a little deja vu walking onto court, as it was the third year in a row that she had eliminated Strycova from the tournament.

"Hopefully next year we will play quarters," Azarenka joked after the match. "She's so tough, but I played smart and took my opportunities."

"I feel really happy. I think I'm enjoying myself on the court and it helps me be in good shape physically."

Azarenka's half of the draw has opened up considerably since No. 2 seed Simona Halep, No. 3 seed Garbine Muguruza, No. 6 seed Petra Kvitova and No. 8 seed Venus Williams fell earlier in the tournament, but the No. 14 seed refused to speculate on adding a third Australian Open crown to her trophy cabinet, saying she has a battle on her hands when she faces 7th seed Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinal.

"(Kerber and I) always have such amazing battles, she's a fighter," Azarenka said.

Kerber struggled with her serve early in the match against countrywoman Annika Beck, but rallied late to shut-out the world No. 55; the seventh seed won 6-4, 6-0 and said she was ecstatic to make the quarter-finals for the time in Melbourne.

"I'm feeling good and had a great preseason. I was trying to transfer it to my matches," Kerber said in her press conference.

Kerber said despite having never beaten Azarenka in six attempts, it counts for nothing when they next meet on Wednesday.

"I never won against her right now, but that will be a challenge. I will be looking forward when I play against her to really take my chances, take the next match," Kerber said.

"It starts from zero, and I know what's coming from her. I will try to be aggressive and try to go and win the match."

Meanwhile in the men's draw, 23rd seed Gael Monfils also registered his first quarterfinal berth in Melbourne, after he shook off injury and an early challenge from Russian Andrey Kuznetsov.

The enigmatic Frenchman lost he second set after injuring his hand while leaping for a ball, but managed to recover and take the match, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Monfils said Kuznetsov tried to dictate the match, and was successful in the second set, but added that he was able to wrestle the match back onto his own terms in the third and fourth sets.

"I knew he would try to play very fast and he did," Monfils told the press. "I was a bit nervous but I became a bit better and put more pressure on him."

Monfils said he was thrilled to be living up to his potential, having never before made the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

"I'm happy to make the next round, but I'm already focused on the quarter-final. I hope I have a wonderful second week," Monfils said.

The fourth round continues in Melbourne on Monday night. Endi