Serena sails into fourth round with Russian rout

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Defending champion Serena Williams charged into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-1 demolition of Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina on Friday.

(Reuters)

Playing a record 80th main draw match at Melbourne Park against an 18-year-old on her first trip Down Under, Williams was merciless under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, blasting 24 winners and winning all 10 points coming into the net.

Kasatkina raised rambunctious cheers from sympathetic fans in the terraces when she prised a game in each set but Williams finished full of running, closing out the match in 44 minutes when her frazzled opponent pushed a forehand wide.

Williams, bidding for seventh title at Melbourne Park and a 22nd grand slam trophy, faces another unseeded Russian in Margarita Gasparyan in the next round.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)