Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were at their dazzling best on a warm but windy Friday at Melbourne Park.

Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion in Australia, stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the first set of her match against Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic.

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.

Elsewhere, in the men's draw, American 12th seed Tommy Paul will take on Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while German second seed Alexander Zverev faces French 14th seed Ugo Humbert. The winners of these matches will advance to the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic will resume his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title when the fourth round of the Australian Open begins on Sunday at Melbourne Park, where defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka takes on Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can set up a blockbuster quarter-final when the Australian Open enters the fourth round on Sunday

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are some of the prominent players who will be in action on the eighth day in Melbourne.

While there have been plenty of surprises in the men’s bracket so far, most of the top women have progressed through the draw without an issue.

Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev both win after Jack Draper retires injured against Carlos Alcaraz. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff also through to quarter-finals.

British No 1 Draper was left hobbled after a brutal run to the last 16 and called time after two sets against the classy Alcaraz, who now meets Djokovic in the quarter-finals

Other countries are listed here. Who is on Monday's schedule at the Australian Open? Defending champion Jannik Sinner and No. 13 seed Holger Rune will meet at Rod Laver Arena, starting no earlier than 2 p.