World No.1 Simona Halep has booked her spot in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, defeating Ashleigh Barty’s third-round slayer Naomi Osaka in straight sets.

Just two days after grinding out a gruelling, three hour and 44 minute victory over Lauren Davis, Halep blitzed past Japanese powerhouse Osaka 6-3 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena.

The Romanian, who has grappled with an ankle injury throughout the tournament, will face either Barbora Strycova or Karolina Pliskova in the quarter-finals.