But she was out of her depth against two-time Melbourne Park champion Azarenka, who stormed through the third round match on Rod Laver Arena 6-1, 6-1.
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It opens up a path to the quarter-finals for the Belarusian, with Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza no longer a concern after she was shocked by Czech veteran Barbora Strycova in straight sets.
Nigel Sears, father of Murray’s pregnant wife, Kim, coaches Ivanovic and was working in that capacity at Rod Laver Arena when he became ill after the first set, needed treatment and was taken to a nearby hospital. When asked about her future goals, Osaka replied, “Oh, to be the No. 1 and to win a lot of Grand Slams and to play Fed Cup and then to play the Olympics and to be happy”.
Kei Nishikori is the first male player through to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in front of a hugely partisan crowd filled with flag-waving Japanese fans. “Barbora really pushed me and I’m happy I could stay focused and composed”.
The 22-year-old Spaniard had been considered one of the contenders for the title but looked lethargic and unable to establish a rhythm against the Czech, who capitalised on her excellent tactical game to win the match in just 76 minutes. “She was being smart”, Muguruza told reporters.
Despite her flawless record, Azarenka is anticipating another hard tussle against the German seventh seed. Konta is now inside the top 50 and could set up a match with Madison Keys or qualifier Shuai Zhang if she wins and will be the first British woman to reach that stage since 1984.
Rounding out the match 6-1 6-3 in 57 minutes, Kerber broke Brengle’s serve five times on her way to victory as she controlled the game from behind the baseline.
“The yin and the yang of the predictability continues to surprise me, as to how consistently unpredictable women’s tennis is”, Shriver added.
“I will do anything I can, anything, to be able to not just beat Serena, but to win Wimbledon”, Azarenka said after that Wimbledon defeat.
Through the first three rounds, the Belorussian has lost just five games out of 41 played, but refused to say she was in career best form when posed the question in her press conference.
“It’s not easy. Obviously it took me over a year to be able to control all that”.
“I think that just shows maybe a little bit of the depth of competition, ” Azarenka said.
“I don’t think I’ve had any number close to 100”, he said.
She was sent packing in the third round or worse at all four majors, with her quarter-final appearance here the best she has managed in nine attempts in Melbourne.
“I love it. I embrace it”, Azarenka said.
If it happens, this will be their fourth duel inside 12 months, with all three of their 2015 matches being tense, three-set affairs.
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Nicknamed “Vika” and renowned in the past for fiery on-court outbursts, Azarenka won the tournament in 2012 and defended the following year at what is her most successful Grand Slam.
