Serena Williams through to Australian Open quarterfinals

Six-time and defending champion Serena Williams is through to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Russian Margarita Gasparyan on Rod Laver Arena in 55 minutes.

Under bright sunshine after the roof was opened following morning rain, Williams lost her service in the opening game but quickly found her groove to set up a rematch of last year's final with Maria Sharapova, who defeated Belinda Bencic in the preceding match.

Williams has beaten Sharapova in 18 of 20 matches and hasn't lost to Sharapova since 2004.