Kerber stands out after easy victory

MELBOURNE, Australia — Angelique Kerber is on her own in an elite club at the Australian Open.

The 2016 champion routed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in a third-round win that showcased her credentials as a title contender and ensured she’ll be the only Grand Slam champion still playing in the second week in the women’s draw.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were almost as ruthless in their straightsets wins Saturday night, which is hardly surprising for two players with a combined 31 Grand Slam titles. As well, it was Federer’s 90th match win at Melbourne Park.

Sharapova was back at the Australian Open for the first time since 2016, when a failed doping test led to a 15-month ban from tennis.

After two comfortable wins the five-time major winner was growing in confidence, but she had no answers for Kerber, who is on a 12-match winning streak.

“Of course is match. I mean, quite a big Maria is a champion. She’s always dangerous, especially at the Grand Slams,” Kerber said. “I was really trying to not think about everything around, about against who I’m playing.”

Kerber’s next match against Hsieh Su-wei.

Six-time Australian Open champion and No. 14 seed Djokovic continued his comeback from six months out with an injured right elbow, beating No. 21 Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

No. 2 Federer moved on with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win over No. 29 Richard Gasquet.

“Expectations are different this year,” Federer said. “I’m coming in very fit, very well equipped knowing five sets is not an issue. Don’t know if (winning) is going to happen this year, but so far, so good.”

Tomas Berdych beat 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets and fifthseeded Dominic Thiem beat Adrian Mannarino to set up a match against Tennys Sandgren.

Djokovic will next face Hyeon Chung. Chung beat fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev 5-7, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. is