Serena sets Australian Open record with third round win over Hantuchova

World number one Serena Williams has now reportedly won more matches at the Australian Open than any other woman player, notching her 24th consecutive win on the tour and improving her career record to 61-8, following her third round win over Daniela Hantuchova.

On another scorching day at Melbourne Park, the American ace beat the Slovakian 6-3, 6-3 in just 1 hour, 20 minutes, keeping her time on court to a minimum during the heat wave.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Williams equaled Margaret Court's Australian Open mark of 60 wins with her second-round victory, and on Friday matched US's Lindsay Davenport's record of 69 main-draw matches here in the Open era.

The report mentioned that Serena will set another record just by showing up on Sunday, against the winner of the night match between 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur and former No. 1-ranked Ana Ivanovic.

The temperature hit 39 Celsius during Williams' match and was expected to climb to 44 C later on Friday, with match suspensions a possibility on outer courts for the second consecutive day, the report added.