MELBOURNE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Defending women's champion Arnya Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic battled through on Friday to the last 16 at the Australian Open.

Men's second seed Alexander Zverev, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz and women's third seed Coco Gauff were also third round winners on day six.

Sabalenka is bidding for a third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat that only five women have achieved in history. But she faced a challenge against Denmark's Clara Tauson before prevailing 7-6 (5), 6-4 to reach the tournament's second week.

It was Sabalenka's 17th consecutive victory in Melbourne and she next faces 14th seed Mirra Andreeva.

"I have to fight. Today's match proved that," Sabalenka said. "Girls can go there and just play without any fear, without anything to lose. They can put you in really uncomfortable positions."

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka retired hurt with an abdominal injury against Belinda Bencic, ending her promising start to a tournament she has won twice previously.

Osaka needed treatment late in the first set having aggravated an injury that forced her to withdraw from the final in Auckland.

She battled on in discomfort and resorted to a reduced service motion before stopping the match after losing the first set tiebreak.

Bencic will next face former US Open champion Gauff, who rolled through 30th seed Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2.

Gauff's sizzling start to the season continued in a one-sided match lasting one hour and 16 minutes.

"I think it was harder because she knew what to expect, and I definitely think she played a little bit different today than at the United Cup," said Gauff, who has not dropped a set in her eight matches this season.

There was a late night upset when world No. 55 Olga Danilovic beat seventh seed Jessica Pegula 7-6 (3), 6-1 in one hour and 30 minutes. The Serb will next play 11th seed Paula Badosa.

In the men's draw, Djokovic sought medical attention early in the second set, appearing to be troubled by his abdomen, but pushed through to defeat 26th seed Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic will next face 24th seed Jiri Lehecka as he continues his bid for a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne.

"I think I played really well. I'm very happy with my game," he said. "I was slightly surprised with the result. I struggled physically (in the second set) but managed to turn things around."

Alcaraz dropped his first set of the tournament, but reached the fourth round with relative ease 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 against world No. 33 Nuno Borges.

The 21-year-old Spaniard remains on track to become the youngest men's player to complete a career Grand Slam slate of titles.

It was Alcaraz's first appearance on the centre court of Rod Laver Arena after playing his opening two matches at nearby Margaret Court Arena.

"The last time I played here, I lost. I really wanted to play here and get another win on Rod Laver," said Alcaraz, who has never gone further than the last eight in Melbourne.

Alcaraz is on a quarterfinal collision course with Djokovic, but before then he faces 15th seed Jack Draper who beat Australia's Aleksandar Vukic in a five-set match that lasted almost four hours.

Zverev continued his red-hot form with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 thrashing of Jacob Fearnley. The 27-year-old German is on a mission to end his Grand Slam title drought having reached two finals in majors previously.

Zverev has not dropped a set so far in the tournament and he will be looking to keep that record intact against 14th seed Ugo Humbert in the fourth round.

The third round continues on Saturday with men's world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, fourth seed Taylor Fritz and Australian Alex de Minaur in action.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek headlines the women's draw on day seven, while fourth seed Jasmine Paolini faces an intriguing match-up against 28th seed Elina Svitolina. Enditem

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