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DON'T try telling Victoria Azarenka that others have cleared a path for her to stroll to a third consecutive Australian Open title.
The defending champion said she won't sleep any easier now that third seed Maria Sharapova has joined top seed Serena Williams as fourth-round losers.
"You have to stay alert. It doesn't matter the level that you're No. 2 or whatever. Everybody has proven that anybody can beat anybody,'' she said after advancing to the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-2 win against American Sloane Stephens.
"The way I approach the matches, I have to be ready 100 per cent for every player.''
Azarenka reckons the conquerors of those grand slam champions are just as dangerous and must be respected in the run to the weekend finals.
Victoria Azarenka in action against Sloane Stephens. Source: AFP
"The players who beat those players deserve all the credit because they've been better, so they are dangerous and they are competitive.
"For me it's important to just keep focusing on my game and play it one at a time. Quarter-finals of a grand slam is never easy, no matter who you play.''
The second seed's supposed grudge match with Stephens was devoid of controversy this time as the American again salvaged on five games, like their semi-final clash last year.
Both players dismissed an incident in the seventh game of the opening set when Stephens drilled a ball at close range that struck Azarenka in the midriff.
"I have never hit anyone in a match, so I wouldn't say it was a pegging war,'' Stephens said.
"I thought she was going to move and she didn't. I don't know what was happening, but didn't think that would ever happen.''
Musician Redfoo applauds as Victoria Azarenka celebrates after beating Sloane Stephens. Source: AFP
Azarenka said Stephens immediately apologised. "That's tennis. Maybe she had an open court, but she chose that shot. I have no problem with that. I'm just focused on the next one,'' the victor said.
The titleholder conceded only that she was now the betting favourite to win again after the demise of Sharapova and Williams.
"Well, by the rankings, probably yes. By the game, I don't consider myself just a favourite because I don't consider anybody as the favourite,'' Azarenka said.
"I just go out there and play my best, because anybody on any given day can bring their best game.''
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