Ferrer blocking Murray’s path to first Australian Open title

And I think Johanna Konta continues her incredible run beating qualifier Zhang. “I’m preparing myself for a very tough match because she’s very solid, very consistent, and an incredible fighter”.

Prediction: Raonic in four sets.

The 25-year-old Raonic is the first Canadian man to reach all four Grand Slam championship quarter-finals. “She’s an incredibly intense, focused player who was No. 1 and has won so many Grand Slams for a reason”.

He knocked off No. 4 seed Stan Wawrinka in a five-set classic on Monday (6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3). He also beat Ferrer on his favorite surface, clay, in four sets at last year’s French Open. During Victoria Azarenka’s conference, the Belarusian player talked extensively about her passion for the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, and how the Super Bowl between the two will be a “dream matchup”. This is the furthest Kerber has ever made it in any of her previous appearances at the Australian Open, so she’s already reached a milestone of sorts. First of all, congrats to Annika for an wonderful week, well done to her. She’s a great player with great future.

Raonic’s win was the biggest upset of the day.

In the span, Djokovic has won 36 of 37 matches at Melbourne Park.

Seeing fourth seed and 2014 champion Wawrinka bow out will have been a surprise to many, but the Swiss revealed he had been struggling with illness through the tournament which may have hampered him against Raonic. But then momentum shifted again, when his attempted passing shot landed long in the sixth game of the fifth, giving up the decisive break. Raonic clinched the match in 3 hour, 44 minutes with a victor to the open court at love in the final game.

Monfils delighted the Margaret Court Arena crowd with his acrobatic game, including a full-stretch dive that resulted in him needing an injury timeout for treatment on his right hand.

The British world number two ended the remaining home interest in the Grand Slam with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over 16th-seeded Tomic to set up a last-eight match with Spanish baseliner David Ferrer.

Williams has won every semifinal she’s contested at the Australian Open, and gone on to win the title each time.

The 14th-seeded Azarenka will take on No. 7 Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals.

The tirade came after the Scot had just been broken by Bernard Tomic, while serving for the first set with a 5-2 lead on Rod Laver Arena. My prediction is a four set Monfils win 6-4 3-6 7-6 6-4.

Ferrer’s win over Isner ensured a fifth quarter-final in Melbourne in the last six years for the Spaniard, but he has only progressed past the last eight twice. Wawrinka, who struggled for service consistency, saved one match point at 3-5, Ad Out.

Play is under way in bright sunshine on the eighth day at Melbourne Park which features the final group of fourth-round matches that will determine singles quarterfinalists.

Raonic has been absolutely sensational so far, hammering down his superb serve and imposing his huge frame at the net – it’s a combination which could win him the tournament and it will nearly certainly be too good for Monfils, who looks pretty short at 9/4.