Sharapova cautious despite easy progress

Maria Sharapova has warned of tougher tests ahead after continuing her serene progress at the Australian Open, having lost a mere five games in Melbourne so far

Sharapova disposed of Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-0 to move into the last eight, where she will face fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who repeated her run to the quarter-finals 12 months ago by shocking fifth seed Angelique Kerber.

Sharapova, 4.00 to win the title in Melbourne after losing in the final last year, was cautious ahead of her meeting with Makarova, saying: "I'm certainly happy to be playing this well, but it's the quarter-finals and it only gets tougher from here."

"It's not about waiting to see where you are in the semis or finals, it's about who's ahead of you and my next match is against Makarova. I have to do the right things to beat her."

Sharapova is 1.05 to defeat Makarova and 1.20 to do so in straight sets.

Meanwhile, fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska has also yet to drop a set, having set up a quarter-final with Li Na by seeing off Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-4.

Radwanska, 12.00 to win the Australian Open title, lost in the Wimbledon final to Serena Williams last year and Ivanovic believes that the Pole can go one better in Melbourne.

She told the WTA Tour website: "Well, she took Serena into a third set in Wimbledon, on grass. I think she definitely can (win here).

"You know, she's a player, it's no secret, who doesn't make too many winners, but she has good hands. She can really get the opponents to feel a little awkward, you know, make you go for too much."

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