Confident Kerber in the groove

World No 1 Angelique Kerber said she is fired up for a last-16 clash with Coco Vandeweghe after blowing away Kristyna Pliskova at the Australian Open on Friday.

Defending champion Kerber, who was taken to three sets in her opening two rounds, smashed hapless Czech Pliskova 6-0, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena as she finally got into her stride.

She now faces the racquet-smashing Vandeweghe, who ended the campaign of Canadian comeback queen Eugenie Bouchard 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.