An imperious Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a historic third consecutive Australian Open crown on Sunday, while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can later set up a blockbuster quarter-final. The prize for the winner is a meeting with either Carlos Alcaraz or Britain's Jack Draper for a place in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, in the men's draw, American 12th seed Tommy Paul will take on Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while German second seed Alexander Zverev faces French 14th seed Ugo Humbert. The winners of these matches will advance to the semi-finals.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit in setting up an Australian Open showdown with talented teenager Mirra Andreeva on Friday

By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Carlos Alcaraz was at his dazzling best despite a blip as warm and windy weather tested the composure of players on Friday.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can set up a blockbuster quarter-final when the Australian Open enters the fourth round on Sunday

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are some of the prominent players who will be in action on the eighth day in Melbourne.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were at their dazzling best on a warm but windy Friday at Melbourne Park.