Maria Sharapova crushed fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 6-2 6-0 to line up an Australian Open quarter-final against top seed Justine Henin.

The 20-year-old, runner-up at Melbourne Park last year, overpowered 11th-seeded Dementieva, breaking serve six times on her way to victory in 62 minutes.

Sharapova, a fifth seed at this year's tournament, was in scintillating form and gave Dementieva no chance to settle, easing through the first set in 32 minutes.

The former world number one was even better in the second set, rushing through it and crunching a huge forehand return to reach the last eight for the fourth successive year.

Henin, meanwhile, breezed into the last eight with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 fourth round victory over Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei.

Henin, wearing protective strapping on her right knee, simply showed the gulf in class between the world's top player and someone who is ranked 157 places lower and had to qualify for the main draw.

Hsieh was the first Taiwanese player to make the last 16 of a grand slam, and despite some moments where Henin lost concentration in the second set, she was never really in the match.

Henin had two match points while serving at 5-0 in the second set, but Hsieh fought them both off.

She broke then held serve before Henin, down two break points in her next service game, sealed victory when her opponent netted a service return.

Ninth seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, 14th seeded Russian Nadia Petrova, and unseeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki all advanced to the fourth round on Sunday, while Poland's Marta Domachowska upset Chinese 24th seed Na Li 2-6 6-2 6-4 in other third-round play.

Reuters