Azarenka sets up quarter-final showdown against Kerber

Belarus's Victoria Azarenka gestures after victory in her women's singles match against Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova on day eight of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2016. William West / AFPShow less

MELBOURNE // Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka remained in ominous form Monday as she surged into an Australian Open quarter-final against Angelique Kerber, as Britain ended a 33-year wait to make the last eight.

Former world No 1 Azarenka proved too strong for Czech Barbora Strycova on Rod Laver Arena, storming through 6-2, 6-4 to set up a last-eight clash with Kerber, who beat fellow German Annika Beck 6-4, 6-0.

Azarenka, the 14th seed who won at Melbourne Park in 2012 and 2013, has a 6-0 record over Kerber, including in the Brisbane International final this month, making her a hot favourite to keep her title run going.

“I’m looking forward to it. She’s such a fighter and such a nice person,” said the Belarusian, looking ahead to the test on Wednesday. “I’ll just give it my best and I’m sure she’ll do the same.”

Seventh seed Kerber powered past Beck to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and knows she has a formidable task ahead against a player who has won each of their encounters dating back to 2012.

“I had tough matches against her in the past. I never won against her right now, but that will be a challenge,” she said.

“It’s a new one, it starts from zero, and I know what’s coming from her. I will try to be aggressive and try to go and win the match.”

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World No 1 Serena Williams and fifth-seeded rival Maria Sharapova play each other in a headline last-eight clash on Tuesday, while fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska faces 10th seed Carla Suarez.

Johanna Konta joined them to reach her first grand slam quarter-final and become the first Britain’s first woman to reach the Australian Open last eight Jo Durie in 1983.

Konta prevailed in a three-hour, four-minute slugfest 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova, a semi-finalist last year.

“Goodness gracious,” said Konta, who will next face either American Madison Keys or Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai. “Mentally, emotionally and physically I left it all out there on the court.”

The only other British women to get as far were Virginia Wade, who won in 1972, and Sue Barker who made the semis twice.

Azarenka, 27, has been in the zone at Melbourne Park, dropping just 11 games in four matches as she zeroes in on a return to the top after battling injuries for the past two years.

She went into the Strycova clash with a clear advantage, whipping her on all four of their previous meetings, including at the last two Australian Opens.

But it was not straightforward against the Czech, who stunned third seed Garbine Muguruza in the last round to secure her first fourth-round appearance in Melbourne since her debut in 2004.

“She is such a tough opponent. I’m just happy I went through. I played smart, aggressive and really took my opportunities,” Azarenka said.

“Barbora really pushed me and I’m happy I could stay focused and composed.”

Melbourne Park has been a happy hunting ground for Azarenka, who has now made the quarters or better five times in her last seven attempts.

Kerber, who had a stellar 2015 but underachieved at the majors, eased past Beck who fell apart in the second set after pressing her compatriot hard in the first.

“I think my serve was not the best today,” said Kerber, 28. “I mean, I can serve for sure better and faster. It was a tough match, it was also tough mentally.”

Like Azarenka, Kerber is a form player, winning four titles last season – second only to Williams, who claimed five – although she failed to translate that to the grand slams.

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