By Mimy
picture: AFP
MELBOURNE - Serena Williams continued her impressive Australian Open preparations with a straight-set thrashing of Tsvetana Pironkova Wednesday (Feb 3), as world No.3 Naomi Osaka and top-ranked Ashleigh Barty struggled.
Williams, 39, has been in belligerent form at the Yarra Valley Classic and overpowered the Bulgarian with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in 74 minutes.
"So far, so good. It's special to play here with what's going on in the world," said Williams, who only lost four games against Daria Gavrilova in her opener on Monday.
Williams, aiming for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, broke Pironkova first up and kept her foot on the gas with 25 winners and six aces.
The American will play world No.6 Karolina Pliskova or compatriot Danielle Collins in the quarter-finals.
Osaka and Barty, however, were pushed to the brink, but both avoided early exits at Melbourne Park.
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