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Sharapova and Federer advance in Australia

Maria Sharapova has been at the epicentre of the women's game since she stunned Serena Williams to win Wimbledon in 2004. Her win came a day before Roger Federer  collected his second title there. More than a decade later, the two veterans have added another line to their dazzling list of achievements.

Maria Sharapova is seeking her second Australian Open crown.
Maria Sharapova is seeking her second Australian Open crown. Reuters/Thomas Peter
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Former champions Federer and Sharapova both advanced on Friday to the last 16 at the Australian Open while reaching personal milestones.

Four-time winner Federer claimed his 300th victory in a grand slam tournament after disposing of the 27th-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in four sets. Sharapova, 28, registered her 600th win on the women's circuit at the expense of the American Lauren Davis.

The mark came during her 13th appearance at the Australian Open.

"If I think about it like: 'Oh, I've been around the block, I've been to all these tournaments so many times', that would seem quite heavy. That would not really motivate me much," she said.

The Russian, who has five major titles including two French Open crowns, acknowledged her latest achievement. "I think 600 is a proud number. I've played here in Melbourne for many years. I don't think about the numbers until I finish the match and someone mentions it. I think it's a good fact that I've been able to win that many matches."

The 2008 champion will take on the rising Swiss player Belinda Bencic The 18-year-old 12th seed came from a set down to eliminate Katarina Bondarenko from Ukraine

There was a more chastening experience for another 18-year-old in the third round. Daria Kasatkina, from Russia, was demolished 6-1 6-1 in 45 minutes by the defending champion Serena Williams. The world number one, who is seeking a 22nd grand slam title, said: "I definitely think I played better during the match. Everything I've been trying to work on was kind of clicking."

A win in the men's final on 31 January would deliver an 18th grand slam title to 34-year-old Federer. The Swiss is six victories away from emulating Martina Navratilova's record of 306 grand slam conquests.

"It's very exciting," he said. "Not something I ever aimed for or looked for but when it happens, it's very special."

His opponent for a place in last eight will be the Belgian David Goffin who led his country's ultimately failed attempt to win the 2015 Davis Cup.

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