Ash Barty's quest for a maiden Australian Open title is still alive after the local hope defeated American Shelby Rogers in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
The world number one took out the match 6-3 6-4 to set up a quarter final meeting with Czech 25th seed Karolína Muchová.
Barty is the final Australian hope across both the men's and women's draws - not since Chris O'Neil in 1978 has an Australian won their home slam.
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A host of upsets among the top seeds has left Barty's side of the draw wide open, but there was no sign the 24-year-old was getting ahead of herself on Monday night.
While Rogers had some bright moments, particularly in the first set, Barty appeared in complete control.
The Queenslander secured a break of serve in the third game of the opening set before seeing out the first frame.
Barty then flexed her muscle in the second, securing two breaks while dominating her service games - until she didn't.
Up 5-2 and with two match points on serve, a double fault and three unforced errors gave the 28-year-old American a sniff.
Barty made no mistake at the second time of asking, holding to love to see her through to the final eight.
The final 🎱 is locked and loaded.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 15, 2021
Who is your tip to be crowned #AO2021 women's singles champion? 🏆#Kia #MovementThatInspires #KiaTennis pic.twitter.com/ZPJQdQlrPM
Awaiting her is Muchová, who knocked over Belgian 18th seed Elise Mertens on Monday evening, running out a 7-6(5) 7-6 winner.
Muchová was coming off wins over Jelena Ostapenko, Mona Barthels and Karolina Pliskova in the first three rounds.
Wednesday's meeting with Muchová will be the second time Barty has faced the 24-year-old, having claimed a win over her at the 2018 US Open.
It will also be Muchová's second time in a Grand Slam quarter final after she reached the same stage at Wimbledon in 2019.
