Serena Williams downs Potapova to reach Australian Open last 16

The 23-time Major champion Serena Williams is through to the Australian Open last 16 for the 16th time since 2000, beating Anastasia Potapova 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 37 minutes.

The former junior top-ranked player from Russia stayed in touch with Serena in the opening set and wasted two set points on serve at 5-3, losing a tight tie break and fading from the court in set number two to propel Serena into the fourth round. The American struggled on the second serve and got broken thrice, erasing that deficit with five return games on her tally.

Serena survived three break points in the opening service game and leveled the score at 1-1 when Anastasia netted a backhand. The youngster fended off a break opportunity at 2-2 with a service winner and grabbed a break a few minutes later with a perfect drop shot that carried her 4-2 ahead. Serena broke back at 15 in the next game to reduce the deficit before the aggressive Potapova earned another return game with a backhand winner that sent her 5-3 ahead.

Serving for the set, Anastasia wasted two set points and got broken following a double fault that kept Serena in contention. From 5-3 down in the tie break, the American rattled off five straight points to claim the opening set in over an hour, gathering a massive boost ahead of set number two. Potapova landed a backhand down the line winner in the opening game to clinch a break that Serena pulled back right away following a terrible volley from the Russian at the net.

Williams broke again in game four and closed the next one with a service winner to open a 4-1 advantage. Serving at 4-2, the American placed a backhand winner to remain in front and sealed the deal with a break at 5-2 that carried her through.