The World number one and defending champion, Pete Sampras, has beaten Magnus Gustafsson in straight sets to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Sampras, who was never really pushed, disposed of Gustafsson (ranked 38) 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Sampras served 18 aces during the match

The American will now play the Moroccan Hicham Arazi in the fourth round.

Gustafsson, urged on by his Swedish supporters, could not produce the consistency of shots to trouble Sampras, who broke the Swede three times for a thorough victory.

It was Sampras' fifth win in as many meetings against the 31-year-old Swede, who reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 1994 only to be beaten by Sampras in four sets.

Sampras served 18 aces and outscored the Swede with 45 outright winners to 25.

Gustafsson had only one break point on Sampras's serve and, although he hit a total of 13 winners with his favoured forehand, he posed few problems for the champion.

Rusedski confident of win

Greg Rusedski is confident he can silence the home supporters when he continues his bid for Grand Slam glory at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday.

Rusedski faces the Australian Todd Woodbridge

The No 5 seed faces the doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge, who will be keen to win on home soil.

The Australian has received intense support since the start of the tournament. But Rusedski said he would not let that bother him.

"It's only natural they are going to support the player from Australia.

"It would be abnormal if they didn't. That's the excitement we have when we play at Wimbledon - Tim [Henman] and I get great support, so in Australia its going to be the same for their top players."

Rusedski is level at two-all in his matches with Woodbridge who is better known for his doubles partnership with countryman Mark Woodforde which has yielded five Wimbledon doubles titles in a row.

"Todd has got a fantastic return of serve," Rusedski said.

"He's got very good ground shots and he's a very talented player. He can beat anybody on a given day."
 

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