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Rafa: quarters will be tough

Melbourne - Rafa Nadal really hit his stride to reach his fifth straight quarter-final at the Australian Open, and will be keen to keep the momentum going against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Wednesday.

The world number one, on a quest to become the third man to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once, has not yet lost a set at Melbourne Park this year, but anticipates a tough test in his 15th career meeting with his seventh seeded compatriot.

"We know each other perfectly, we played a lot of times against each other," said the 24-year-old, who holds an 11-3 record against Ferrer but lost their last Grand Slam clash at the 2007 US Open. "I think he's a fantastic player to spend so many years in the top positions.

"That's very difficult to do. So all respect to him. I know it's gonna be a really, really difficult match."

Victory in the evening match on Rod Laver Arena would set up a semi-final with British fifth seed Andy Murray, or surprise package Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, who play earlier.

Murray, last year's losing finalist, is the meanest player still in the tournament, having conceded just 21 games in four matches, and not spent more than two hours on court in any of his encounters.

The 23-year-old Scot has been in intimidating form, but will be well aware that the Melbourne Park debutant Dolgopolov's fierce ground strokes and "funky" style did for fourth seed Robin Soderling in the fourth round.

Like Murray, Vera Zvonareva has played two Grand Slam finals, and ended up a loser both times, but the Russian believes she may now have the maturity to claim her maiden major.

The women's second seed opens day nine of the Australian Open with her quarter-final against dangerous Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova, who upset local hope Sam Stosur in round three.

Kim Clijsters will be a strong favourite to beat Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the other quarter-final, and move into a sixth semi-final at the year's opening Grand Slam.

Radwanska, 21, is playing her first tournament since October after having surgery on a stress fracture in her foot, and promised to play with freedom against the three-times US Open champion.

"I think now there is no pressure," she said. "I just feel very good after my very short off-season. She's a great champion, so I have nothing to lose. So I'm just going to try and play my best tennis and try to win.

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