Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts in a match against Jelena Kostanic of Croatia at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan 20, 2006. Sharapova won the match 6-0, 6-1. (Yahoo/AP)

    CANBERRA, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- World number four Maria Sharapova of Russia sailed into the four round of the Australian Open in fashion after crushing Croatian Jelena Kostanic 6-0, 6-1 in Melbourne on Friday.

    The Russian beauty needed just 68 minutes to eliminate the 71 stranked Kostanic.

    Sharapova will next take on the winner of another match between defending champion Serena Williams and Daniela Hantuchova, the 17th seed to be held on Friday night. Enditem