Australian Open: Andy Murray overcomes family drama

Britain’s Johanna Konta celebrates her 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win over Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova in Melbourne. — AFP

Andy Murray put a traumatic few days over the health of his father-in-law behind him on Monday as he beat Bernard Tomic to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The British world number two ended the remaining home interest in the Grand Slam with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over 16th-seeded Tomic to set up a last-eight match with Spanish baseliner David Ferrer.

Meanwhile, Canadian star Milos Raonic impressively ousted the 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka in a tense five-setter.

Raonic, bidding to broaden his game under new coach Carlos Moya, overcame the Swiss world number four 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3 and will face Frenchman Gael Monfils in the last eight.

There were questions how Murray would respond in his first match after his father-in-law Nigel Sears, Ana Ivan-ovic’s coach, collapsed at the tournament and was taken to hospital on Saturday.

Sears was cleared to leave hospital on Sunday and fly home following tests. Adding to the tension of the moment, Murray’s wife Kim Sears is heavily pregnant and he has pledged to rush home if she goes into labour.

“Last few days were very, very tough. A lot of emotions, it’s been sort of changing all the time in my head,” Murray said.

Spanish eighth seed Ferrer ousted America’s John Isner in 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

Azarenka in last-8 Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka remained in ominous form Monday to surge into the quarter-finals, as Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai’s amazing Grand Slam run stayed alive.

Former world no. 1 Azar-enka 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 Angelique Kerber, who beat fellow German Annika Beck 6-4, 6-0.

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

Konta prevailed in a three-hour, four-minute slugfest 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 against Russia’s Ekaterina Maka-rova.

Sania, Bopanna enter quarters Indian tennis stars Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s and mixed doubles events respectively, after notching up contrasting victories with their partners.