Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner surged into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday to boost their title chances.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is set for another testing examination on the same day.
US Open champion Coco Gauff was also in the limelight after she registered a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win while 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva came back from behind to beat France´s Diane Parry.
Belarusian defending champion Sabalenka cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win against 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena while Sinner dropped just four games in match against Sebastian Baez, who is ranked 29.
Youngster Amanda Anisimova also registered a victory, ending Paula Badosa´s injury comeback 7-5, 6-4.
Anisimova, who is back in action after eight months on the sidelines due to burnout and mental health issues, will lock horns with Sabalenka next.
The second seed, who bagged her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne last year, has dropped just six games over three outings so far.
"Last year (world number one) Iga (Swiatek) won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals," she said. "I´m trying to get closer to her.
"I´m super happy with the level I´m playing at so far and hopefully I can keep going like that or even better."
Anisimova, who qualified for the semi-finals at Roland Garros and won her first WTA title aged 17, surprised even herself after winning against world number two Badosa.
"It´s quite unbelievable after taking some time off, but I´m really feeling good," said the American, who is now aged 22.
Fourth-seed Sinner, so far, he has lived up to expectations and is yet to drop a set, unlike the trio of players ahead of him in the rankings — defending champion Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
"Generally, I´m playing really well and feeling great here," said Sinner, who will next play Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov. "I´m just happy with how I´m feeling right now."
Seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 12th seed Taylor Fritz also bagged wins and will face each other for a place in the quarter-finals.
Ten-time champion Djokovic has struggled in the event, admitting he has been under-the weather.
His bid for record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown will resume in the evening against Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who defeated Andy Murray and Gael Monfils in the previous rounds.
"His results are really impressive, he´s obviously playing maybe the tennis of his life on the hard court," Djokovic said of the 30th seed. "I have to be very, very prepared and ready for that."