![Contrasting wins for Williams, Na]({"default":"http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/b3/dfe454bedbf671f456cd1b39aaed9/_h353_w628_m6_otrue_lfalse.jpg"})
Serena Williams and Li Na both advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday on another scorching hot day in Melbourne.
Serena Williams and Li Na both advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday on another scorching hot day in Melbourne. World number one Williams was seldom troubled by Daniela Hantuchova in her match and recorded a 6-3 6-3 win over the Russian, while Li was forced to save a match point in her come-from-behind 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova.
Williams' win was her 61st victory at the tournament, breaking the record set by 11-time champion Margaret Court up to 1975. Five-time winner Williams won her first title in Melbourne as a 16-year-old in 1998. Li needed more than two-and-a-half hours to get the better of Savarova, but eventually came through in what was her seventh consecutive victory over the Czech ace.
"In the beginning she played very nice, very good and it was tough to find any rhythm," said the popular Li after her match.
"I'm happy I was able to fight and win the match. I just tried to play at the baseline and move the ball around the court."
Li will now play 22nd seed Ekaterina Makarova, who beat Romania's Monica Niculescu 6-4 6-4, for a place in the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Flavia Pennetta beat Mona Barthel 6-1 7-5 to set up a clash with world number nine Angelique Kerber, who downed Alison Riske 6-3 6-4 in her third round match.
In the men's draw, Spain's super-fit Ferrer again proved impregnable as he ground down France's Chardy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to reach his 15th consecutive Grand Slam fourth round.
Williams will come up against the winner of the match between former world number one Ana Ivanovic and Sam Stosur, which takes place later on Friday.
Williams' win was her 61st victory at the tournament, breaking the record set by 11-time champion Margaret Court up to 1975. Five-time winner Williams won her first title in Melbourne as a 16-year-old in 1998. Li needed more than two-and-a-half hours to get the better of Savarova, but eventually came through in what was her seventh consecutive victory over the Czech ace.
"In the beginning she played very nice, very good and it was tough to find any rhythm," said the popular Li after her match.
"I'm happy I was able to fight and win the match. I just tried to play at the baseline and move the ball around the court."
Li will now play 22nd seed Ekaterina Makarova, who beat Romania's Monica Niculescu 6-4 6-4, for a place in the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Flavia Pennetta beat Mona Barthel 6-1 7-5 to set up a clash with world number nine Angelique Kerber, who downed Alison Riske 6-3 6-4 in her third round match.
In the men's draw, Spain's super-fit Ferrer again proved impregnable as he ground down France's Chardy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to reach his 15th consecutive Grand Slam fourth round.
Williams will come up against the winner of the match between former world number one Ana Ivanovic and Sam Stosur, which takes place later on Friday.
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