Williams fights past Halep

Serena Williams in action during her win over Simona Halep. Photo: Getty Images
Serena Williams in action during her win over Simona Halep. Photo: Getty Images
Serena Williams ended world number one Simona Halep's run at the Australian Open last night.

She survived a second set fightback from the Romanian to keep alive her hopes of winning a first Grand Slam since becoming a mother.

Williams' 6-1 4-6 6-4 victory set up a quarterfinal meeting with big-serving Czech seventh seed Karolina Pliskova and kept the 37-year-old on track to equal Australian Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles.

"She's always someone that comes out and serves big and plays well," Williams said of her next opponent. "I've got to return a little bit better the next day that we play, but I will be ready. She's ready, I'm ready, and let's do it."

Japanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka, one of four players who could oust Halep as world number one at the end of the tournament, ground out a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over US Open semifinalist Anastasija Sevastova.

Tempers frayed in the men's draw, with fourth seed Alexander Zverev smashing his racket and Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta flinging his kit bag across the court in frustration as they both bowed out in contrasting fashion.

Zverev was beaten by clinical Canadian Milos Raonic in straight sets while Carreno Busta went down fighting 6-7(8) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-6(8) in a five-hour marathon against Japanese battler Kei Nishikori.

World number one Novak Djokovic outclassed young Russian Daniil Medvedev in four sets in the day's last match to set up a quarter-final clash with the Japanese.

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