Maria Sharapova beats Venus Williams at Australian Open

Second seed Maria Sharapova thrashed Venus Williams in the first heavyweight clash of this year's Australian Open.

The Russian, 25, hammered the American seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-1 6-3 in only 76 minutes, and has lost just four games in three rounds.

Next she will meet Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the last 16.

Williams, 32, might be a fading force in terms of Grand Slam results but she actually rose from outside the top 100 to end 2012 ranked 24th, having comeback from a seven-month absence due to Sjogren's Syndrome.

Taking on the world number two and French Open champion at a Grand Slam showed just how far she has fallen behind the very best, however.

Sharapova did slip up when first serving for the match, but it raised eyebrows more than alarm bells and gave the willing crowd a chance to enjoy a few more good moments from Williams.

A rasping forehand winner and an ace bookended the final game as Sharapova wrapped up another mightily impressive performance, and she remains a strong favourite to make the final.