Nadal powers through

Rafael Nadal remains on course for a second Australian Open title after a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils.

It is eight years since Nadal was crowned champion in Melbourne but the 30-year-old Spaniard looked in good form as he overcame a battling Monfils to reach the quarter-finals for the second successive year.

With Nadal controlling the opening two sets Monfils barely threatened his opponents serve but he finally found a way through in the third set, breaking for the first time for a 4-5 and he served out to take it into a fourth.

The Frenchman broke again in the fifth game of the fourth set to leave Nadal looking rattled but the former world number one broke back in the eighth game to get the set back on serve.

It was Monfils turn to be rattled and serving to stay in the match he sent a volley wide to hand Nadal his first match point. He saved with a brilliant forehand winner but a double-fault provided Nadal with his second match point and it was the Spaniard who rose his arms in delight as Monfils backhand went wide.

"Gael is a special player. He's able to play unbelievable shots,” Nadal said.

“He's one of the more charismatic players on the tour. A pleasure to see him in the top of the rankings. Great for our sport.

"I have chances to have break in the third ... Didn't play my best game at 4-4. You are (then) under problems against a player like him.

"(In the fourth set) I think against Gael had a few mistakes in a row and played a good backhand on the break point. That game was the world. (I told myself) if I come back I think I have a few chances.

"Very happy being in the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam after a couple of years without being there, is very special for me and especially here in Australia, where it feels a little like home, crowd is always supporting me.”

Nadal will play Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals and he is anticipating a tough match.

"(Against Raonic I have to) play very very well, that's the only way, no?,” Nadal said.

“He beat me a couple of weeks ago in Brisbane. It was a tough game. He's a top player with an amazing serve, so I need to be focused with my serve and wait for opportunities on my return."

Raonic needed four sets to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut and reach his third successive Australian Open quarter-final.

Following the shock departures of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, Raonic is the highest seed remaining in the men's draw but he was made to work hard by Bautista Agut before prevailing 7-6 3-6 6-4 6-1.

The Canadian made over 50 unforced errors but his Spanish opponent was unable to take advantage, suffering his fifth defeat to Raonic in as many meetings.

“I was very fortunate to get today – there were some moments when it wasn't looking so good," Raonic said.

"I was happy that I was able to find a way to pull through. And this atmosphere – especially when the roof closed, the noise stays in a little bit more, so it was great to be here.

"We live to see another day."

Grigor Dimitrov is also through the last eight at Melbourne Park after getting the better of Novak Djokovic's conqueror Denis Istomin 2-6 7-6 6-2 6-1.

Another upset looked on the cards when Istomin broke Dimitrov twice in the opening set and carried his good form through to the start of the second set, but Raonic fought back and the 15th seed had to do some clever work to save two break points.

Despite his strong start, Istomin required a medical time-out during the second set for treatment on his left hip and Dimitrov took full advantage, taking the set at the first time of asking.

Errors began to creep into Istomin's game with Dimitrov winning 12 of the first 13 points in the third set, but the Uzbekistani put up a strong fight and made his opponent fight for the win.

His resistance slipped in the fourth as Dimitrov wrapped up victory to set up a quarter-final against David Goffin.

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