With Novak Djokovic's reign broken, Andy Murray boosted his claim to the Melbourne Park throne with a comprehensive 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over American Sam Querrey to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.
Andy Murray Photo: Photosport
Top seed Murray, beaten in four of his five finals in Melbourne by Djokovic, has become raging favourite after the Serb's stunning second round exit on Thursday and the Briton lived up to the billing by trouncing Querrey in a tick under two hours at the Hisense Arena.
Murray was among the many surprised by Djokovic's elimination but was neither dancing on the Serb's grave nor talking up his own hopes of a maiden title in Melbourne.
"It doesn't change anything unless I was to potentially reach the final, because I can't play Novak in the fourth round or in the third round," Murray told reporters after setting up a clash with unseeded German Mischa Zverev.
"I don't worry about that, really. Obviously, if you're to get to the final, then it has an effect. A lot of the times when I've been in the final here, I've played against him. Had some tough ones."
Djokovic's departure aside, Murray appeared free of another bugbear, showing no discomfort on the right ankle he twisted in his previous win against Russian teenager Andrey Rublev.
Murray's compatriot, Dan Evans, continued his fairytale run at Melbourne Park by downing local world number 27 Bernard Tomic 7-5 7-6(2) 7-6(3) to give Britain two men in the last 16 of the Australian Open for the first time in 16 years.
The 26-year-old, who upset seventh seed Marin Cilic in the second round, prevailed at the end of a thrilling two-hour 48-minute battle in a highly-charged atmosphere on Hisense Arena to end Australia's interest in the men's singles draw.
Roger Federer Photo: Photosport
Meanwhile a rampaging Roger Federer delivered a stunning reminder of his class with a crushing 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over Tomas Berdych to storm into the fourth round.
Seeded 17th and playing only his third tour match since a long layoff with a knee injury, Federer was expected to be tested by the hard-hitting Czech but he sent the 10th seed packing in 90 minutes.
Fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka was not fully convincing in his four-set victory against Serbian Viktor Troicki but the fourth seed refused to fuss over the nature of his win after securing his place in the fourth round.
Wawrinka produced an error-ridden first set, then had two opportunities to serve out for the match in the fourth only to be broken by the 29th-seed, who also then saved a match point,
The Swiss then advanced with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 7-6(7) victory.
In the women's draw, seven-times grand slam winner Venus Williams on Friday brushed off a remark made about her at the Australian Open which led to a TV commentator being stood down by broadcaster ESPN.
Venus Williams Photo: Photosport
Doug Adler, commentating on the African-American 13th seed's second-round match against Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele on Wednesday, provoked outrage on social media when he was taken to have described Williams charging "like a gorilla". Adler, a former tennis professional, said he had said "guerrilla".
Williams was questioned about the comment after thrashing China's Duan Ying-Ying 6-1 6-0 to reach the fourth round.
"All I can say is it's been a wonderful, wonderful career for me full of positives. That's what I focus on. I mean, what else can I do? It's a beautiful life. That's how I feel about every single thing," the 36-year-old told reporters.
"I pay attention and address situations that are noteworthy. That's been my past record, clearly."
ESPN said Adler "should have been more careful in his word selection".
"He apologised and we have removed him from his remaining assignments," the broadcaster said in a statement.
Williams despatched Duan in 59 minutes and will play world number 181 Mona Barthel of Germany in the fourth round.
-Reuters
