Juan Martin del Potro survived a thorough examination from Marin Cilic to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Eighth seed sets up clash with Federer, Roddick advances easily
Argentine eighth seed Juan Martin del Potro survived a thorough examination from fellow hot-shot Marin Cilic to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Andy Roddick took little time to dispatch Tommy Robredo to secure his spot in the last eight with a comprehensive 7-5 6-1 6-3 victory.
It was anything but simple for Del Potro after he recovered from a set down to grind out an attritional win in scorching conditions, taking it 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-2 in just over three hours.
At 20, he becomes the youngest quarter-finalist since Richard Krajicek in 1992 and faces a showdown with triple-champion Roger Federer after he overcame Tomas Berdych in an epic five-setter.
"Of course, I'm happy. It's my first time in the quarter-finals here in Australia, and I want to be in the semi-finals," del Potro said.
The Argentine, who retired in round two on his both previous visits here, has now reached two consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals after last year's US Open.
Del Potro accrued a 23-match winning streak before meeting Britain's Andy Murray at the US Open, incredibly winning his first four titles back-to-back as he set the tour alight.
Racket rage
However, the Argentine struggled to impose himself at the beginning of the match and angrily swiped his racquet after going a set down. But he dragged himself back into it and broke with a sweet backhand volley at 3-3 before levelling the match.
Both players exchanged breaks in a battling third set before del Potro again went ahead 5-4 and took the set lead with a service winner.
It was Cilic's turn to get mad when he furiously hurled his racquet to the ground as del Potro got in front in the fourth, and it was a canter to the finish for the Argentine who converted the first match-point with another service winner to oust the Croatian.
"It's very tough to play in these conditions but I'm glad I managed to come back and beat him (Cilic)," del Potro said.
Streak continues
American Roddick extended his perfect record over Robredo beating the Spaniard in straight sets to book his place in the last eight.
The seventh seed, who has only conceded one set to Robredo in their 10 meetings, overwhelmed him again to wrap up a comprehensive victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
Roddick, 26, has made the semi-finals three times at Melbourne Park in his seven previous visits but has yet to make the final.
His quarter-final opponent on Tuesday will be either defending champion Novak Djokovic or 2006 runner-up Marcos Baghdatis who play later on Sunday.
