Wozniacki cruises, lands in quarters

MELBOURNE, Australia — Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki is through to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a chance to regain the No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis.

Wozniacki beat Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-0. Rybarikova double-faulted on break point to open the second set and start Wozniacki on her way to a dominant victory in 63 minutes.

Since nearly being eliminated in the second round by Jana Fett — Wozniacki trailed 5-1 in the third set before winning the last six games — she has won her next two matches in straight sets.

Wozniacki, who plays Carla Suarez Navarro in the quarterfinals, could return to the top ranking if she reaches the semifinals combined with other results, a spot she hasn’t occupied for six years.

She has never won a Grand Slam singles title but lost the U.S. Open final twice — to Kim Clijsters in 2009 and to Serena Williams in 2014.

Suarez Navarro became the first player through to

FLYERS 3, DEVILS 1 the quarterfinals after beating Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-4, 8-6.

Earlier, Angelique Kerber routed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in a thirdround win that showcased her credentials as a title contender and ensured she’ll be the only Slam champion still playing in the women’s draw.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were almost as ruthless in their straightsets wins Saturday night.

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.

Kerber’s next match is against Hsieh Su-wei.

Six-time Australian Open champion and No. 14 seed Djokovic continued his comeback from 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.”