Angelique Kerber has recorded a dominant straight-sets win over Maria Sharapova to move through to the Australian Open fourth round.

The battle of the former champions had been expected to be a closely-fought affair, but Kerber controlled the match and eventually prevailed by a 6-1 6-3 scoreline.

Kerber broke Sharapova's serve early in the first set and the left-hander was able to race into a one-set lead after allowing Sharapova just 13 points in seven games.

Sharapova improved as the match progressed but Kerber was clinical when break-point opportunities came her way, with both chances being taken in the second to wrap up victory in just 64 minutes.

Kerber is now the only former Australian Open champion left in the draw, and she will face either Agnieszka Radwanska or Hsieh Su-wei for a place in the quarter-finals.