Tomas Berdych has finally ended his 17-match losing streak against Rafael Nadal - and in some style.
The Czech destroyed his Spanish overlord 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) this morning to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
Berdych will face Andy Murray or Nick Kyrgios in the last four, and in the process of winning today avoided an 18th successive defeat by Nadal, which would have been a new record for men's tennis.
Andy Murray goes for a place in the semis later this morning, when he takes on home favourite Kyrgios.
No one beats Tomas #Berdych 18 times in a row right? Read how he broke the hoodoo http://t.co/7V85CdOtWI #ausopen pic.twitter.com/NyuTco0gLd
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2015
Maria Sharapova was rarely troubled in getting past Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 18 minutes to reach the last four.
Third seed Simona Halep fell to Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 6-0 in today's opener.
#Sharapova: "I felt pretty good from the start. I kept my focus throughout the whole match" #ausopen pic.twitter.com/j6oQsIGUjv
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2015
