Top guns blaze into fourth round

Marat Safin and Lindsay Davenport were on fire on Friday as they blazed a trail into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Two-time champion Pete Sampras also booked a fourth round berth but not before breaking sweat against unheraleded Juan Igancio Chela of Argentina.

The no. 3 seed finally won in a five-set thriller 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 and will next play US veteran Todd Martin.

But French 13th seed Cedric Pioline wilted in Melbourne heat and crashed out.

Crowd favourite Anna Kournikova also made it to the last 16, but dropped a set against doubles partner Barbara Schett and almost caused a riot when she threw her towel to her baying fanclub.

There was no such drama for love-struck 15th seed Kim lijsters who demolished Spain's Nuria Llagostera 6-0, 6-1 and will now meet Davenport.

Safin stormed past Michal Tabara of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 and will now play either 14th seed Dominik Hrbaty of the Slovak Republic or Belgian Christophe Rochus.

He said his elbow, which troubled him in the earlier rounds, was feeling fine. "I am playing 100 per cent. I am giving everything, espcially with the serve. For the moment (the elbow) is working," he said.

Davenport finally found some form after two tough three- set battles in the earlier rounds, breezing past Silvia Farina Elia of Italy 6-2, 6-1.

"If you can get through and find your game as the tourament goes on you have just as good a chance as if you play great tennis from round one," she said.

She acknowledged that 17-year-old Clijsters would provide her with a tougher challenge than anything she has faced so far.

"The last time we played in the fall we had two very tough three set matches and I don't expect anything different, she said."

Davenport's chances of retaining her title here have been helped by a favourable draw.

If the seedings play out as expected she should come up against Monica Seles in the semi-finals. Top seed Martina Hingis, in contrast, is likely to have to beat both Williams sisters to get to the final.

Clijsters was impressive in her third round match and will hope some of boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt's fighting spirit rubs off on her when she faces up to the world number two.

"I have lost against her twice already but in three sets and it's always been a close match," she said.

"I have had my chances but it is going to be very tough. I am just going to play my same game. I will have to serve very well."

If Pioline served better he could have beaten US veteran Todd Martin but six double faults and a below par 66 per cent conversion of his first service points saw him lose 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6.

The Frenchman blamed it on the conditions.

"I don't like the surface here too much, I don't like the balls and it's too hot," he moaned.