'Generation Next' past tense
Top seed Novak Djokovic and champion Stan Waw-rinka set up a semifinal meeting at Melbourne Park after impressive quarterfinal victories yesterday, while an ill Serena Williams moved a step closer to her 19th Grand Slam title.
The American, however, will first have to overcome the pure hitting of Madison Keys after the 19-year-old ended the fairy-tale run of Serena's older sister Venus, despite suffering from a thigh injury. Keys won 6-3 4-6 6-4.
With many suggesting before the tournament began that it could signify an epochal shift, the teenager represents the up-and-comers in the semifinals after Djokovic and Wawrinka crushed the last hopes of "Generation Next" in the men's draw.
Djokovic, seeking to become the second man to win a fifth Australian Open title, beat Canada's Milos Raonic 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-2 in the late match on Rod Laver Arena, hours after Wawrinka had easily dispatched fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 7-6 (6).
"Definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years. I'm sure that both of us will give our best to perform our best tennis," Djokovic said of his meeting with Wawrinka.
It will be the third successive year Djokovic and Wawrinka have met at the Australian Open, with the man winning those epic clashes ultimately going on to clinch the title.
As defending champion in 2013, Djokovic prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set in their fourth round clash.
Last year, Wawrinka won the fifth set 9-7 in their quarterfinal, indicating fans tomorrow should be set for another epic encounter.
"You know when you play Novak, especially in a semifinal in a Grand Slam, you have to play your best game," Wawrinka said.
"So far I'm playing great. I'm confident with my game."
American teenager Keys proved to be the ultimate party-pooper with her victory over Venus Williams while at the same time indicating the mantle of US women's tennis should be in safe hands when it is moved on from the two sisters.
Serena and Venus had been hoping to provide fans with the first all-Williams sisters clash at a Grand Slam since the 2009 Wimbledon semifinals.
Keys, who was inspired at four years old to take up the game after seeing Venus play at Wimbledon, refused to succumb to sentimentality and demonstrated the ball striking and power hitting which had destroyed players of the calibre of double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, in a 29-minute first set.
Keys showed her maturity and mental toughness once she settled to overpower Williams and battle through an injury to advance to her first Grand Slam semifinal.
"It's definitely an amazing moment," she said.
Keys' chances of making the final have improved with the world number one battling the effects of a cold.
"I've been sick the past few days," a hoarse-sounding Serena Williams told reporters after her 6-2 6-2 destruction of last year's finalist Dominika Cibulkova.