Australian Open - Women: Safina cruises through

Third seed Dinara Safina effortlessly advanced into the fourth round of the Australian Open with an easy 6-2 6-2 victory over Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.

The third seed was joined in round four by fellow Russian Nadia Petrova. The 10th-seeded Petrova sauntered through in double-quick time when Galina Voskoboeva quit after losing the first set 6-1.

The Kazakhstan player retired with a back injury.

Safina exploited a poor service game from the 25th seed, who made just 40 percent of her first serves and had 28 unforced errors.

Safina was never really troubled in the match, with Kanepi unable to exert any pressure on the Russian's serve, and she sealed victory when the Estonian hit a forehand into the net to end the 66-minute match.

The world number three will meet the winner of the match later on Friday between 15th seed Alize Cornet of France or 19th seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

Also into the fourth round is Russia's Vera Zvonareva, with the seventh seed playing scintilating tennis.

After a rare 'double bagel' rout of Edina Gallovits in the second round, she continued her impressive advance with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Italy's Sara Errani.