Murray: It’s been a tough few days

Murray’s team were kept abreast of developments but with Sears seemingly fine, did not feel the need to communicate the news to him.

Meanwhile Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai aims to keep her giant-killing run going against American 15th seed Madison Keys.

Tournament officials released a statement a short time after the incident on Saturday night, but would not confirm the man in question was Sears.

After completing his victory, Murray was told what had happened by his mother Judy and immediately left the stadium to visit Sears in hospital.

“Sort of the day after I went to the hospital for a few hours, and after that just came back to practice here in the afternoon”.

Murray’s wife, Kim, is now at home expecting their first child to be born within the next few weeks.

Britain’s Andy Murray serves during his fourth round match against Australia’s Bernard Tomic …

“A male in his 50s fell ill in Rod Laver Arena this evening”.

The Scot has never lost a set to the 16 seed in three previous meetings.

There is no doubting Tomic’s talent. With the triumph, the 25-year-old becomes the first Canadian in history to progress into the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slam competitions. In July a year ago he was arrested in Miami after a loud party and hit out at the Australian Tennis authorities.

The 23-year-old has made something of a habit of shining at Melbourne Park before fading away over the rest of the season, a record that led Federer to suggest the world number 17 had missed his ambition of a top 10 berth by a “long shot”. He’s the number one player in Australia.

“It also motivates me. My ranking has to get there”, Tomic said. “He’s been at the top of the game for 10 years now and has a lot of experience”. It’s not just getting to the top 10. “It’s about being consistent”.

“He’s been good, but then top-10 is another story”, Federer said earlier this month.

‘GET OFF THE PHONE!’ Andy Murray yelled at someone in his player’s box for being on the phone.

“You have to take the ball to him, play aggressive, but not too aggressive, and rally at the right time”.

Four-time finalist Murray beat No. 32 Joao Sousa, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, but skipped the on-court interview before leaving Margaret Court Arena on Saturday night to check on the welfare of Sears, the father of his pregnant wife, Kim.