Cibulkova conquers Sharapova

The fourth round is now complete and the upsets continued to come thick and fast.

(Rank/Seed)

2/2 Azarenka avoided the upset bug with a commanding 63 62 win over American, (13/13) Stephens in a rematch of last year's semi final. Considering last year's controversy when Azarenka took a dubious medical timeout at a point when it seemed she was 'choking' at the finish against Stephens, this match was billed as a revenge match. Despite some added spice when both players aimed balls in one another's direction up close at the net (Stephens scoring a direct hit), Stephens was never really at the races as Azarenka was simply too intense from the start and this time unflinching in victory. Frequently targeting Stephens's weaker backhand, despite her 7 double faults, Azarenka saved both break points she faced all match, finishing with 20 winners to 20 unforced errors. She is now a firm favourite to complete a hat trick of titles here in Melbourne.

24/20 Cibulkova, from Slovakia defeated 2008 champion (3/3) Sharapova 36 64 61 for the second huge upset of the tournament in as many days. Ultimately, Sharapova tired due to the three long matches she had won this tournament and her lack of recent match play, this being only her second event since August! Despite a decent first set, Sharapova's baseline consistency deserted her and after a sudden reprieve where she won 4 straight games from 0-5 down in the second, she was spent, winning only one more game after a visit by the trainer at the beginning of the third set for a hip injury. Cibulkova capitalised on Sharapova's 45 unforced errors, hitting only 18 winners herself but remained composed under pressure, often outlasting Sharapova in lengthy baseline exchanges. Having beaten Maria twice before in 5 meetings, including in a major (2009 French Open), Cibulkova believed in herself and in the end that was enough. Cibulkova has now completed a career set of reaching at least the quarters in every major, whilst Sharapova suffered her earliest defeat here since 2011.

5/5 Radwanska was happy Roger Federer finished his match quickly before her, considering she finished her 61 63 defeat of Spain's Muguruza just shy of midnight. The match was decided in the first few multiple deuce games which featured long and exhausting rallies, taking over half an hour to complete. Radwanska broke for 3-1 and then cantered away, her young opponent seemingly lost at what to do. Muguruza, who had defeated (10/10) Wozniacki one round earlier tried to hit her way out of trouble in the second set but to no avail. Radwanska now moves through to her 5th Australian Open quarter final, her fourth in a row, yet she is still yet to win one! With Azarenka next, she may still have to wait.

11/11 Halep, from Romania practically secured a top 10 debut next week after beating (8/8) Jankovic 64 26 60 to reach her first major quarter final! The 2013 Most Improved Player of the Year was pushed to three sets for a fourth time in as many meetings with the Serb, but came out on top for a third time in a row. In a very physical match, full of gruelling rallies, both players complained of fatigue, Halep in the second set and Jankovic in the third. However, Halep won the pivotal 5 deuce first game of the third before romping away, becoming the first Romanian woman to reach the quarters here since Irina Spirlea in 1998.