Kvitova marches on

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova needed just 38 minutes to book her place in the fourth round of the Australian Open after Maria Kirilenko pulled out because of injury.

Kirilenko failed to hold serve from four attempts in the match, including in the second game of the second set, leading her to walk to the umpire's chair and inform Kvitova she couldn't go on because of what appeared to be a thigh injury.

Trailing 0-6 0-1 when she retired, Kirilenko had spent several minutes off centre court receiving treatment to her left thigh, which she had heavily strapped.

The trainer then returned to add further tape to the strapping after Kvitova held easily to take the first set but after attempting to go on, Kirilenko made the decision to withdraw from the Open as the injury was still causing her discomfort.

Next up for Kvitova, the Czech No.2 seed who reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park 12 months ago, will be either 21st-seeded Serbian Ana Ivanovic or American Vania King, who clash later on Saturday at Hisense Arena.

In other action as the third round wraps up, Russian No.4 seed and 2008 champion Maria Sharapova will duel with 30th-seeded German Angelique Kerber, with the winner to play either Kerber's 14th-seeded countrywoman Sabine Lisicki or Russian 18th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva will do battle with fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova but waiting for the winner of that match could be four-time champion Serena Williams, with the American 12th seed to clash with Hungarian Greta Arn at Rod Laver Arena in the evening.

And French No.9 seed Marion Bartoli will play China's Zheng Jie with the winner to then face off against Italian Sara Errani or Sam Stosur's Romanian conquerer Sorana Cirstea.