Fourth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka bows out of Australian Open; Andy Murray progresses

He’s never reached the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park. Azarenka won the Brisbane title.

Kim Sears is expecting a baby in February, and Murray has said on two occasions that he will fly home from the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, should she go into labor during the tournament.

Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning his fourth round match against Australia’s Be …

Next up for Raonic is Gael Monfils, who beat Andrey Kuznetsov in four sets.

“It’s not just about a confidence”, Raonic said of his successful strategy, “it’s about an understanding of what I need to do”.

Ferrer, the 2013 French Open runner-up, said: “With Andy, it’s going to be tough”.

“I think it’s just about a calm, and understanding how I can be more efficient with my game”, Raonic said when asked what Moya could bring to his game. You don’t have to retire when you’re 31 or when you’re 32.

“The fact I was able to handle everything that has happened the last few days was a good sign”.

He has, however, lost to Monfils in all three of their previous meetings.

It appears that Raonic has found another level in his game.

“To beat one of them for the first time at a slam, it doesn’t matter if that was on Court 15 or whichever court, it has a very concrete sort of message to the work I’m putting in and how I’m going about things”.

Madison Keys of United States of America receives medical treatment during her fourth round match against Zhang Shuai of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2016.

“Yes!” she screamed after being told the Broncos had won. Konta, who beat Venus Williams in the first round, is Zhang’s occasional practice partner. She’s such a fighter and an wonderful person off the court, as well. Now standing in his way of a second career grand slam semi-final is Monfils. Azarenka has already shown some allegiance to Newton, doing her version of the “dab” in her victory celebrations.

Raonic needed that after winning the first two sets (6-4, 6-3) and then dropping the next two (5-7, 4-6) with Wawrinka gaining momentum.

In the space of a fortnight, he has beaten defending champion Roger Federer to win the Brisbane title and, in a tough quarter of the Australian Open draw, has taken out world No4 Stan Wawrinka, champion in Melbourne in 2014 and a semi-finalist past year.

“It was super intense”, Williams said.

Raonic remains just the second Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal after Robert Powell at 1908 Wimbledon. “You have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity”.

Tomic, a Stuttgart stud whom spent nearly 20 years in Australia was put forward to face a rather emotional Murray was overpowered by the intensity of the match. Against Williams, she had three, and seven double-faults. He pressed on to the final four times but finished runner-up every time.

“She played quite explosive”, Sharapova said.