Raonic strikes blow for young 'uns at the Open

26 January 2016 - 02:12 By Reuters

Milos Raonic struck a blow for the next generation of men's tennis by flooring former champion Stan Wawrinka yesterday before China's Zhang Shuai became the first qualifier to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals in more than 20 years. Second seed Andy Murray, back on court two days after his father-in-law was rushed to hospital, hit back for the old guard in the evening session by banishing Bernard Tomic, the last home hope in the singles. He now meets hyper-fit Spaniard David Ferrer for a spot in the semifinals. Eighth-seeded Ferrer booked his sixth quarterfinal by thrashing American John Isner 6-4 6-4 7-5.Raonic, showing ice in his veins, fended off the 2014 champion 6-4 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-3. He will be favoured against French showman Gael Monfils who delighted fans with his acrobatics while beating Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 7-5 3-6 6-3 7-6(4) for a first Open quarter-final.Chinese qualifier Zhang, on a fairytale run recovered from a set down to beat a hobbling Madison Keys 3-6 6-3 6-3.The 133rd-ranked 27-year-old became the first qualifier to reach the last eight here since Mexican Angelica Gavaldon in 1990. Murray's compatriot, Johanna Konta's superb run continued with a win against last year's semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova 4-6 6-4 8-6. Twice champion Victoria Azarenka continued her ominous advance, beating Czech Barbora Strycova 6-2 6-4.She next plays No7 seed Angelique Kerber, who beat Annika Beck 6-4 6-0...

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