Russian Andrey Rublev looms as an Australian Open dark horse after continuing his unbeaten streak in 2020 with an upset third-round win.

The 22-year-old rising star knocked out Belgian 11th seed David Goffin 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) with an accomplished performance on Saturday on Melbourne Arena.

After tournament wins in Doha and Adelaide to start the year, Rublev’s hot-form has the potential to cause further havoc at Melbourne Park.

But the 17th seed is staying level-headed, with his best result at a major being a quarter-final appearance at the 2017 US Open.

“To be honest, I was not even thinking about it, how many matches I win, how many matches I lose,” he said.

“It’s more in the media. Then you start to think, ‘wow, I won 10 matches’.

“Of course, it’s amazing that I win that many matches in a row.”

Rublev will play fellow young gun Alexander Zverev or Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round.

Switzerland’s 15th seed Stan Wawrinka waltzed through to the round of 16 after American John Isner retired from their match.

The 19th seed trailed Wawrinka 6-4 4-1 before pulling the pin out on court three.

Earlier, French 10th seed Gael Monfils defeated Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-3.

Monfils will battle Dominic Thiem next after the Austrian fifth seed took care of American Taylor Fritz 6-2 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.

“We had great matches already,” Thiem said of his next outing.

“(He’s) such a great entertaining player, always great rallies against him.

“Even if you play against him on-court, it’s nice to see his show.

“But obviously, I’m going to give my best and, of course, try to win. But especially in the second week, every slam is special, every opponent is great.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal demolished fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to win through to the fourth round.

Nadal didn’t face a break point as he wiped Carreno Busta off Rod Laver Arena 6-1 6-2 6-4.

“My best match of the tournament so far without a doubt,” Nadal said.