Thirty-nine-year-old Hsieh, who last year retired from singles, is also defending her mixed doubles title with partner Jan Zielinski of Poland, with whom she won at Wimbledon last year. The sixth seeds are today to play Irina Khromacheva of Russia and Jackson Withrow of the US in the second round.

MELBOURNE (AFP) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka swept into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday and was joined by Coco Gauff, while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can later set up a blockbuster clash.

Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to beat Belinda Bencic 5-7 6-2 6-1 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and extend her winning streak from the start of the season to nine matches.

Coco Gauff said Sunday she felt "invincible" after the recent United Cup and is not fazed about dropping her first set in nine matches this season in reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka swept into the quarter-finals at a scorching-hot Australian Open on Sunday and was joined by Coco Gauff, while Carlos Alcaraz advanced when Jack Draper retired.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit in setting up an Australian Open showdown with talented teenager Mirra Andreeva on Friday while Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16.

Novak Djokovic surged into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant straight-sets victory on Sunday while women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner.

An imperious Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a historic third consecutive Australian Open crown on Sunday, while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can later set up a blockbuster quarterfinal.