Novak Djokovic has further bolstered his status as Australian Open favourite by dismissing former semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco in straight sets to reach the fourth round.

Four-time champion Djokovic, facing his first serious test of the tournament against the 31st seed, triumphed 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 6-4 on Saturday night.

The world No.1 next faces Gilles Muller, the unseeded Luxembourgian, who had never progressed beyond the third round in Melbourne before beating John Isner in straight sets on Saturday.

A quarter-final against eighth seed Milos Raonic or Feliciano Lopez is likely to follow, as the Serb starts to ramp up his bid for an eighth grand slam title.

Earlier, Stan Wawrinka‘s Australian Open title defence is on track after the Swiss rolled into the fourth round on Saturday.

Yet to drop a set this campaign, Wawrinka took care of Jarko Nieminen 6-4 6-2 6-4 in one hour and 49 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The fourth seed has stretched his winning streak at Melbourne Park to double figures, his 10th straight victory setting up a fourth-round clash with Spaniard Guillermo Garcia Lopez.

“I’m really happy with my game so far,” Wawrinka said after breaking the Finn six times.

“It’s been three good matches. I think my game is there.

“I’m really happy to get through again.”

Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic equalled his best-ever performance at the Open, thrashing Germany’s Benjamin Becker to cruise into the round of 16.

Raonic only dropped serve once in the 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory over Becker, who sent Lleyton Hewitt crashing out in the previous round.

Raonic will play Feliciano Lopez for a quarter-final spot after Spain’s 12th seed eliminated big Pole Jerzy Janowicz 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-6 (7-3).

And Spain’s David Ferrer is into the last 16, after seeing off a dogged challenge from Gilles Simon 6-2 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-4).

– with AAP