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Berdych brushes aside Tomic

Melbourne - Consistent Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych was too strong for Australia's Bernard Tomic, winning in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open on Sunday.

Berdych, a semi-finalist last year, had too much power for the 66th-ranked Tomic to win 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in 2hr 1min.

The Czech took his record against Tomic to 3-0 and will next play world number three Rafael Nadal.

He has now made the quarters for the third straight year without losing a set.

"Every time I play here I'm able to bring something special, something more," he said.

"I was feeling good on the court. It's not easy, the crowd was great but they're on the other side.

"I'm not complaining about it, but I'm just saying that was the set-up of today's match. I'm happy with the way I handled it and glad to be in the quarter-finals."

The big-serving Berdych fired too many rockets for Tomic, winning 85 percent of his first serves and crunching 52 winners, 17 of them aces.

Berdych was taken to a tiebreaker in the second set after zipping through the opening set in 27 minutes but was always in command, losing only three points.

Tomic offered little in the final set with the Czech cruising to victory. Tomic only had one break point against Berdych's potent serve.

Berdych faces a big test against 2009 champion Nadal, whom he trails 18-3 in their encounters.

"I'm going to have to sit down with my team and prepare the right tactics," he said.

"Whatever I need to do I'm going to be ready for it and try to fight until the last point and bring something extra for myself."

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