Ruthless Azarenka still eyeing improvement

Victoria Azarenka is still focused on improvement despite another impressive showing at the Australian Open.

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka is still focused on improvement despite another impressive showing at the Australian Open.

The Belarusian two-time grand slam champion needed just 56 minutes to thrash Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-1 in the third round on Saturday.

Azarenka has been in stunning form to start the year, yet to lose more than three games in a set in eight wins in 2016. While the 26-year-old said she was pleased with her form, she believes there is improvement to come.

"I just try to focus on my execution more. The score doesn't really say pretty much the whole story sometimes," Azarenka said.

"But I'm pretty happy with the way I'm playing. I want to still keep improving from match to match, because it's only getting harder from here."

Azarenka will next face Barbora Strycova after the Czech's shock win over Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza.

Strycova has lost all four previous meetings against Azarenka without winning a set, with two of those matches at the past two Australian Opens. But Azarenka is wary of the crafty 29-year-old.

"She's a very tricky opponent, and obviously beating a top player like Muguruza shows she is capable of handling herself on the big stages," she said.

"I have played her and it's never easy. You never know what's going to come.

"I would like to approach that match the same way as I did my other matches: focus on myself and try to give the best on every point, because I think that's what creates a good approach for me mentally, physically, and I enjoy it more."