Nadal, Federer and Murray reach quarters
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 21, 2014
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Roger Federer plays a forehand against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga yesterday at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The sixth-seeded Federer won in straight sets and will play Andy Murray in the quarterfinals. |
Rafael Nadal came through his first proper test to storm into the quarterfinals at the Australian Open yesterday in Melbourne but Maria Sharapova was ushered to the exit after a second big shock in as many days in the women's draw.
Victoria Azarenka was left as the only top-three seed still standing in the last eight when Sharapova was defeated by Dominika Cibulkova, a day after Serena Williams was eliminated.
In the men's draw, the "Big Four" look poised to scrap it out for yet another grand slam crown over the next week after Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all won yesterday to join Novak Djokovic in the last eight.
Spaniard Nadal led the way with a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori that was not as easy as the phrase "straight sets" would suggest.
The world No. 1 had to contend with a blister on his hand, a tumble, a time violation at a crucial moment and the first losses of his serve in the tournament.
But most of all, he had to deal with some inspired shot-making from Nishikori.
"I didn't play bad today, but I didn't play as good as I did two days ago," Nadal said, reflecting on his brilliant performance in the third round against Gael Monfils.
"But today's victory has much more value than the victory of two days ago. Because when you are playing that good, the normal thing is to win.
"When you are playing normal and the opponent is a good one, and you are able to keep winning, that has much more value."
Nadal will meet Sharapova's boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the semifinals. Federer and Murray's quarterfinal date ensures that at least one of the quartet of dominant men's players will go home tomorrow.
Federer's quick 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the most impressive of the day, particularly given the French 10th seed had taken him to five sets in Melbourne and beaten him at Roland Garros last year.
"I definitely felt momentum was on my side, no doubt," said the Swiss 17-time grand slam champion.
Murray also looked to be racing to victory against Stephane Robert, the first lucky loser to reach the fourth round in Melbourne, but blew a couple of match points in the third set and was dragged into a tiebreak, which the Frenchman won 8-6.
The Wimbledon champion took out his frustrations on his racket, changed his shirt and then whipped through the fourth set to record a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2 victory.
Like Murray, Sharapova missed the back end of last season because of injury and she admitted after her 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Cibulkova the tournament had probably come a little bit too soon.
"I certainly would have loved to played a little bit more before playing a grand slam, but this is the chance that I was given," said the Russian third seed, the 2008 champion here.
Azarenka was utterly dominant as she swept into the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over American Sloane Stephens that extended her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 18 matches.
"I just love playing here," Azarenka said. "It feels so cosy. It feels like I'm in my living room, on my couch. I can have some chips and salsa — that's how it feels."
Next up for Azarenka is fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat rising Spanish talent Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-3 in the final match of the day.
Cibulkova's reward for beating Sharapova is a meeting with Simona Halep, who beat eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-0.
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