The former world No1 Venus Williams continued her fine Australian Open as she beat Germany’s Mona Barthel in straight sets to reach the last eight for the ninth time in her career.

Barthel, the German qualifier, provided a stern test for Williams on Rod Laver Arena but the American 13th seed kept up her record of not having dropped a set in the tournament, eventually winning 6-3, 7-5.

“This is what you do all the hard work in the off-season for. It’s wonderful to be in an opportunity to advance even further. I love it. It’s such a blessing,” said Williams.



“I think I was born to play this game, I really do. I’ve been blessed enough to do something I love and I think this was my calling because I grew so big and so tall and I can cover the court and hit it hard. I was meant to do this.”



Williams will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after the Russian saw off her eighth-seeded compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-3 in her fourth-round match.