AusOpen: 'Stan-the-Man' Wawrinka completes Italian job to reach quarter-finals

Reuters | Updated: Jan 22, 2017, 02:31 PM IST

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland plays a backhand in his fourth round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy on day seven of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.

Wawrinka will face off with Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in quarter-final

Stan Wawrinka's campaign for a second Australian Open title stepped up a gear on Sunday as the hard-working Swiss fended off Italian journeyman Andreas Seppi 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 7-6(4) to reach his fourth quarter-final at Melbourne Park.

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The 2014 champion has done it tough in the opening week, but despite the tight scoreline, he was rarely threatened by 89th-ranked Seppi on a sunny afternoon at Margaret Court Arena.

With top seed Andy Murray crashing out only minutes before the win, Wawrinka's chances of grabbing a fourth grand slam title have been given a huge boost and he is now the highest seed in the top half of the draw.

Wawrinka next faces Dan Evans or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the semi-finals.