Andy Murray reaches Aussie quarterfinals; Stan Wawrinka dumped

Alex Fisher

Andy Murray reaches Aussie quarterfinals; Stan Wawrinka dumped image

Andy Murray ended the final home hope at the Australian Open with a comfortable straight-sets win over Bernard Tomic in the fourth round.

Second seed Murray, a four-time runner-up at Melbourne Park, was in superb form in his 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win Monday, easing past Tomic to book a quarterfinal clash with David Ferrer. 

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Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, is out after losing a thrilling five-set encounter with Milos Raonic having coming back from two sets down to force a decider.

Gael Monfils and Ferrer are also in the last eight after overcoming Andrey Kuznetsov and John Isner, respectively.

HEADLINE ACTS

French Open champion Wawrinka looked to be on course for a dramatic comeback after losing the first two sets against Raonic, but the Swiss was unable to finish the job, eventually losing 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3 in a match lasting almost four hours.

Murray had no such problems, though. Tomic was simply unable to play with the world No. 2, despite Murray's poor first-serve percentage of 57 percent. 

One of the many highlights in Monfils' four-set win over Kuznetsov was a stunning acrobatic dive to return a ball in the second set, the Frenchman suffering injuries to his hand after a remarkably athletic effort.

SEEDS SAYING GOODBYE

Seeing fourth seed and 2014 champion Wawrinka bow out is a surprise to many, but the Swiss revealed he had been struggling with illness through the tournament which may have hampered him against Raonic.

The big-serving Isner remains top of the aces list despite his defeat, while Tomic departs having just missed out of a quarterfinal spot for the third time.

KEY STATS

Raonic recorded his first win over Wawrinka in five attempts, and maintained his record of never losing a match when up two sets.

Ferrer's win over Isner ensured a fifth quarterfinal in Melbourne in the last six years for the Spaniard, but he has only progressed past the last eight twice.

Isner's 18 aces in his defeat to Ferrer sees him finish the grand slam with 119 unreturnable serves, with Raonic second on 74.

After his straight sets win, Murray has now qualified for his seventh successive Australian Open quarterfinal, which will be the 19th in appearance at that stage in the last 21 grand slams.

SOCIAL MEDIA SWEEP

"This is unreal @Gael_Monfils but I have to hold my breath every time" — Victoria Azarenka enjoying watching Monfils progress.

Paul Annacone - the former coach of Pete Sampras and Roger Federer — leads the praise for Isner's efforts: "Good tournament for @JohnIsner tough day against a brutal competitor @DavidFerrer87. congrats."

"The British invasion! This is the first time GB has had male and female representatives in the QF since 1977," the Australian Open Twitter account praises Murray and Johanna Konta for their achievements on Monday.

THEY SAID WHAT??

Gael Monfils reveals the extent of his injuries after his eye-catching dive: "It's very painful. I cannot even grip anything right now. I have a deep cut. That's nothing. But I have a bruise. I'm lucky to not have fracture."

"I'm feeling good, because I played really good. I returned everything, I think." — Ferrer pleased with his efforts against Isner.

"The last few days were very, very tough — a lot of emotions, things changing all the time. It's been a stressful few days." — Murray reflects on his win days after his father-in-law Nigel Sears was rushed to hospital.

NEXT UP

Murray will play Ferrer for the 19th time on tour in the quarters, the Briton enjoying a 12-6 lead from their previous meetings.

Next up for Raonic is the flambuoyant Monfils, but first the top half of the draw begin the last eight on Tuesday, with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both in action.

RESULTS

Andy Murray (2) beat Bernard Tomic (16) 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4)
Milos Raonic (13) beat Stan Wawrinka (4) 6-4 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-3
David Ferrer (8) beat John Isner (10) 6-4 6-4 7-5
Gael Monfils (23) beat Andrey Kuznetsov 7-5 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4)

Alex Fisher