World No 1 Ashleigh Barty makes light work of Ekaterina Alexandrova at Australian Open

Home favourite overcomes 'strange' feeling of playing in front of empty stadium, while frustrated sixth seed Pliskova is knocked out in straight sets

World No 1 Ashleigh Barty during her straight-sets win over Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Australian Open third round at Melbourne Park on February 13.

An empty Margaret Court Arena during Ashleigh Barty's 6-2, 6-4 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. Reuters

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic throws her racket in frustration during her third-round defeat against compatriot Karolina Muchova. AP

Karolina Pliskova argues with umpire Alison Hughes at Melbourne Park. Getty

Karolina Pliskova argues with umpire Alison Hughes at Melbourne Park. AFP

Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova celebrates her 7-5, 7-5 victory against Karolina Pliskova. AFP

Belgium's Elise Mertens celebrates after defeating Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-1. PA

Elise Mertens hits a backhand during her win over Belinda Bencic. AP

Shelby Rogers of the US hits a return during her 6-4, 6-3 win over Estonia's Anett Kontaveit. AFP

Empty stands at Melbourne Park during Elina Svitolinas' win over Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. EPA

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina signs a television camera after her 6-4, 6-0 victory over Yulia Putintseva. AFP

United States' Jessica Pegula hits a backhand during her 6-2, 6-1 win over Kristina Mladenovic of France. PA

World No 1 Ashleigh Barty made light work of Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Barty's all-round prowess frustrated the big-hitting 29th seed in the 6-2, 6-4 third-round clash in an empty Margaret Court Arena on the first day of Melbourne's snap, five-day coronavirus lockdown.

She will face Shelby Rogers in the fourth round after the American dispatched Estonian 21st seed Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3.

Barty's left thigh was again heavily strapped, but she moved around freely to dispel any injury concerns after pulling out of the women's doubles on Friday.

"It was strange. Something I've never experienced before," Barty said about playing without spectators. "Maybe a little bit rude of me, but I quite liked the sound. Man, I love the crowd but I love the sound the ball makes. It kind of felt a little bit like practice."

Expectations, however, are raised for Barty, whose side of the draw has opened up with the early exits of defending champion Sofia Kenin on Thursday and world No 6 Karolina Pliskova 48 hours later.

Pliskova admitted she never got into her comfort zone after being knocked out by Czech compatriot Karolina Muchova 7-5, 7-5.

Pliskova's frustrations boiled over in the first set as she received a code violation for racket abuse and was then handed a point deduction for smashing another racket in the players' tunnel.

"It's off court, I'm allowed to do what I want," Pliskova argued after being docked a point for a second violation.

The incident seemed to fire up Pliskova as the former world No 1 then raced into a 5-0 lead in the second set before losing seven games in a row to see her bid for a maiden Grand Slam title come to an end.

"I don't feel safe with anything that I was really doing on the court," she said.

"Of course, I played quite amazing to 5-0, but then it's quite tough to hold this level for a longer time."

Muchova will now face 18th seed Elise Mertens of Belgium, who thrashed Belinda Bencic 6-2 6-1, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Fifth seed Elina Svitolina also strolled into the next round with a 6-4 6-0 win over Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.

The Ukrainian will play Jessica Pegula after the American defeated France's Kristina Mladenovic 6-2 6-1.