Milos Raonic made quick work of a dangerous opponent to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open as he beat Viktor Troicki Saturday and dedicated the win to the victims of a shooting in Canada.
The 25-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., took an hour and 46 minutes to advance into the second week of the first major of the season, claiming the match 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.
The match between pre-Open champions — Raonic beat Roger Federer for the Brisbane title while Troicki won Sydney — created some stress for Raonic as he took to the court after hearing the tragic news that took place Friday in La Loche, Sask.
"It was a difficult day back home," Raonic said. "There was a shooting in a high school in a small town. I give my thoughts to that community, the families, the students and the school affected.
"We wish you all the best. This win was for that community and a speedy recovery. All of Canada and the world is behind you."
The 13th seed's win was in sharp contrast to his previous match, a struggle lasting for three hours over Tommy Robredo.
Raonic defeated Troicki for a fourth time dating to 2012 and has not dropped a set in the series. He finished with 14 aces, 37 winners and conversions on 5-of-12 break point chances.
Troicki committed 24 unforced errors as Raonic competed in his 20th career Grand Slam and sixth Australian appearance.
Raonic is into the last 16 in Melbourne for the fourth time as he produced his third win of the week in straight sets. He played the quarter-finals a year ago.
The 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist swept up the first two sets against Troicki in an hour with a break per set. The Canadian was broken for his only time in the match as Troicki took a 4-3 lead in the third, only to lose it as the Canadian struck back for 5-4.
Raonic caught the sideline with a service winner to set up match point and advanced when Troicki returned long over the baseline.
Azarenka works quickly
Victoria Azarenka also cruised into the fourth round with another quick victory, dispatching Japanese qualifier Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-1 in 56 minutes.
The two-time Australian Open champion, seeded 14th this year, has lost just five games in three matches so far at Melbourne Park.
Azarenka had 24 winners to only four for Osaka, who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut.
Azarenka said after the match, "It wasn't easy for sure, especially when you don't know who you play. ... She's a little unpredictable and she surprised me with her game."
Early exit for 3rd seed
Garbine Muguruza has become the latest casualty in the women's draw, beaten by Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-2 in the day's first match on Rod Laver Arena.
Muguruza misfired frequently on her groundstrokes, finishing with 32 unforced errors, and looked a bit listless throughout the match.
Since reaching last year's Wimbledon final, the Spanish player has lost in the second round of the U.S. Open and now the third round at Melbourne Park.
Strycova has only been past the third round once before in 38 Grand Slam appearances when she reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2014.
No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 6 Petra Kvitova and No. 8 Venus Williams have also been eliminated from the tournament.
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