Kerber remains on course to defend her title, after beating the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.

Kerber needed just 55 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena to dispatch Pliskova 6-0 and 6-4.

She will now face the USA’s Coco Vandeweghe in the next round, who in her turn knocked out the Canadian Queen, Eugenie Bouchard, in three sets.

Following her victory Kerber said she is feeling good and welcomes the challenge against Vandeweghe.

"It was better, actually," said the 29-year-old Kerber.

"I was feeling very good from the first point, but of course matches like these are always tough to play against opponents serving very well, and you have to bring a lot of balls back, moving good, and just going for it.

"But I'm happy about my performance.

"I think it might be a little similar today.

"Coco is a tough opponent. She played good today.

"I know that she's serving good, as well. I have to move good, being ready, bring a lot of balls back, but also being aggressive."

Just before Kerber’s match, Vandeweghe beat the former world number five Bouchard, 6-4, 3-6 and 7-5.

Yesterday the men’s singles saw a massive upset with the six-time and defending champion, Novak Djokovic, being knocked out in a 5-set thriller by Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin.

It’s the first time since Rafael Nadal lost to Lukas Rosal in the second round of Wimbledon that a men’s top seed failed to reach the third round of Grand Slam.

Nadal in his turn booked his spot in the third round with a 6-3, 6-1 and 6-3 win over Marcos Baghdatis.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport