Venus Williams was unable to stop the Maria Sharapova juggernaut tonight as the Russian powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Venus Williams today became the first high-profile casualty at the Australian Open after being downed 2-6 6-3 7-5 by Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, a player ranked 40 places below her.

Venus Williams joined her sister Serena in the second round of the French Open following a straight-sets win over Alize Cornet on a rain-affected second day at Roland Garros.