Serena demolishes Kasatkina at Australian Open

Blink and you would have missed it. Such was Serena Williams' dominance as the defending Australian Open champion crushed Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-1 on Friday.

World number one Williams needed just 47 minutes to dispose of Russian teenager Kasatkina and book her spot in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Kasatkina matched her best performance at a grand slam by reaching the third round but the 18-year-old was simply outclassed by the reigning champion under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.

Williams wasted no time in asserting her dominance, breaking in the second and fifth games to wrap up the opening set.

The second set was even more one-sided as Williams broke in the opening game and again in the sixth to close out the match on Kasatkina's serve.

Six-time champion Williams' victory represents her 71st win at the Australian Open - more than any other player in history.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Williams [1] bt Kasatkina 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4

ACES

Williams - 6

Kasatkina - 0

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Williams - 27/8

Kasatkina - 4/13

BREAK POINTS WON

Williams - 5/9

Kasatkina - 0/0

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Williams - 80

Kasatkina - 56

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Williams - 96/83

Kasatkina - 46/26

TOTAL POINTS

Williams - 55

Kasatkina - 18