After losing out to Aryna Sabalenka in the final last year, Petra Kvitova is edging closer to a second title at the Qatar Open.
Aryna Sabalenka's hopes of retaining her Qatar Open title are over, but the top two seeds remain alive in the draw.
World number 61 Jessica Pegula will play her friend Jennifer Brady in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park after shocking Elina Svitolina.
Karolina Pliskova took out her frustrations during a third-round defeat, but Ash Barty was able to reach week two in Melbourne.
With no fans in attendance, Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina said the Australian Open felt like practice.
On another warm day in Melbourne, there were contrasting results for star duo Sofia Kenin and Ash Barty in the second round.
Garbine Muguruza and Sofia Kenin reached the second round, while Victoria Azarenka bowed out of the Australian Open.
Big names fell at the WTA events in Melbourne on Friday, but Naomi Osaka made sure she was not among them.
Dua pilihan utama, Sofia Kenin dan Elina Svitolina, terkandas dalam suku akhir Kejohanan Terbuka Tenis Wanita Abu Dhabi malam tadi.
All quarter-final matches went to three sets in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with the leading seeds suffering surprising defeats.