China's Zhang Shuai and Belgium's Elise Mertens outclassed Romania's Sorana Cirstea and Russia's Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2 in women's doubles action at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

The momentum in the match began to turn when Zhang and Mertens broke their opponents in the third game of the first set. From there, the two pairs exchanged blows until the Chinese and Belgian duo converted another break, clinching the first set 6-4.

In the second set, Cirstea and Kalinskaya shifted their strategy, frequently approaching the net and initially establishing a 2-0 lead. Zhang and Mertens quickly regrouped, however, breaking back to level the score at 2-2. With their synergy on full display, the pair dominated the rest of the set, closing things out 6-2 and advancing to the second round with ease.

In another women's doubles match, China's Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan delivered their own stellar performance, defeating Croatia's Antonia Ruzic and Mexico's Renata Zarazua in straight sets.

The Chinese pair jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first set and maintained their advantage to take it 6-4. They continued to dominate in the second set, racing to a commanding 4-0 lead before wrapping things up at 6-2 and sealing their spot in the second round.