Azarenka into quarterfinals at Australian Open

Zhang said during the match she heard spectators behind her saying “quarterfinals, quarterfinals” and “it makes me very nervous!”

February’s Super Bowl shapes as a no-lose scenario for the Belarusian, whose sporting interests also include Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, whose Panthers will square off against the Broncos in the NFL’s title match.

The 28-year-old, who had a stellar 2015 but underachieved at the majors, eased past Beck 6-4, 6-0 and will play either two-time champion Victoria Azarenka or Czech Barbora Strycova in the last eight. She’s fascinated with American football in general, she said, because there is so much strategy involved.

“She’s such a tough opponent”, Azarenka said of Strycova.

Azarenka’s bid for a third Melbourne Park title continues against seventh seed Angelique Kerber.

Victoria Azarenka believes overcoming depression and poverty has taken away the pressure to win a grand slam. “I played smart, aggressive and really took my opportunities”, said Azarenka, after being kept on court for one hour, 26 minutes.

epa05115072 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in action against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro during their second round match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016.

“The first matches are always tough in the grand slams”.

The enigmatic Frenchman lost he second set after injuring his hand while leaping for a ball, but managed to recover and take the match, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

“I had one foot on the plane back to Germany, but I’m very happy to be in the quarters for the first time”. I understand all that, because it’s something that when I play, I’m in control.

Last year, Azarenka played Williams three times and pushed her to the maximum three sets every time – but lost all three.

Th 24-year-old, who moved to the United Kingdom when she was a teenager, becomes the first British woman through to the final eight in Melbourne since Jo Durie in 1983.

Murray put the medical emergency behind him but it was a scrappy match, as he broke the Australian’s serve six times and dropped his own serve four times.

Asked what her dream final might be at the Australian Open? The Scot will face eighth seed David Ferrer in the quarterfinals, after the Spaniard beat John Isner in straight sets.

Next up she faces No. 7 Angelique Kerber, who beat fellow German Annika Beck 6-4, 6-0 in the preceding match on Rod Laver Arena.

It was Raonic’s first win in five matches against French Open champion Wawrinka, who the only man to beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match past year, and the only player to beat at Melbourne Park after 2010.

Johanna Konta’s strong run at the Australian Open has continued with a 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win over Ekaterina Makarova, advancing her to the quarterfinals.

In the first nine games of the opener each player had only held their serve once, with Kerber 5-4 up on the back of three breaks.