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'Sensational': Ash Barty makes history with 'killer' performance

Ash Barty cruised past Shelby Rogers to earn a spot in the Australian Open quarter finals. (Photo by PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Ash Barty cruised past Shelby Rogers to earn a spot in the Australian Open quarter finals. (Photo by PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images)

Ash Barty has progressed to her third consecutive Australian Open quarter final with a convincing straight sets win over American star Shelby Rogers.

The world No.1 hasn't missed a step as key rivals such as reigning champion Sofia Kenin have been knocked out of the tournament early, easing past Rogers 6-3, 6-4.

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Barty hasn't dropped a set on her way to the quarter final, the closest she has come being a second set tiebreaker forced by compatriot Daria Gavrilova in the second round.

The dominant display generated a substantial amount of excitement on social media, with Barty's chances of going deep into the tournament bolstered by her competitors' misfortune.

While Barty's form has been formidable so far, the likes of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka still pose a threat to her chances of a home grand slam victory.

Barty became the first Australian to reach three consecutive quarter finals at their home grand slam since Wendy Turnbull in 1984.

The 24-year-old will face Karolina Muchova in her quarter final matchup.

Sponsor-less Hsieh eyes Open semis

She's 35 years old, without a racquet or shoe sponsor and happily buys her own tennis outfits.

But Hsieh Su-Wei is also in the Australian Open quarter-finals and not without a shot of taking down three-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka on Tuesday.

"Osaka is a super player. The good thing is Su-Wei has beaten her before and Naomi won't have forgotten that," Hsieh's Australian coach Paul McNamee told AAP.

"Every match is different but Su-Wei is really hitting the ball well and is in a good place."

Statistically, Taiwan's greatest-ever tennis player is in the best place of her career, the oldest first-time grand slam quarter-finalist in the 53-year open era and the world's top-ranked doubles player.

Yet staggeringly, she can't pick up a sponsor.

"It's too late," McNamee said.

"She's 35. She's not thinking about that anymore. She's not interested.

"At one stage it hurt her a bit that no-one wanted her, but now she accepts it.

"I remember we had to go and buy her equipment for the (2019) Wimbledon (doubles) final. I mean, what I'm wearing now she bought for me as a present.

"She goes shopping to buy tennis clothes a couple of times a week.

"She doesn't have any contracts at all. That's why she's like Times Square on the court with the different logos from the different companies."

But McNamee wouldn't change a thing about the bubbly veteran and says it's that carefree approach to life that makes Hsieh so special.

With AAP

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