Open record tumbles to red-hot Serena

World No 1 Serena Williams set a record of 61 Australian Open wins on Friday as she scorched into the fourth round - and warned she plans to get even better.

The American top seed used her powerful serve to good effect as she raced past experienced Slovak Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

Bidding for a sixth Australian Open crown, Williams now faces either former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic or 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur for a place in the quarterfinals.

"It was a tough match. Daniela is a great opponent, so I'm really happy to come out with the win," said Williams.

"It was hot but you have to play; you have to be ready and prepare yourself mentally.

"I'm excited to get through."

Hantuchova, ranked 33, was never going to be an easy opponent, but Williams fired down aces at crucial times.

The victory set a new landmark for the American veteran, who is gunning to match the achievement of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in winning her 18th Grand Slam.

Beating Hantuchova was her 61st win at the Australian Open, surpassing the record set by Margaret Court.

Asked which had been her favorite matches, she said: "All the finals I was able to win."

Williams, who made her Australian Open debut in 1998, also drew alongside Open era record-holder Lindsay Davenport in playing 69 singles matches at Melbourne Park.

With a career-best 11 titles last year, the 32-year-old appears to be getting better with age.

"I feel like in life 32 is young, you know. In sports it's old. But for whatever reason, I feel like I just never was really able to reach my full potential, and I feel like recently I just have been able to do a little better," she said.

- Agence France-Presse