Top seed Novak Djokovic is set to face his first major test of the Australian Open when he meets Milos Raonic in a quarter-final.
The six remaining men in the singles draw will become four on Wednesday, with defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka up against Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori.
On the other side of the draw, Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych both won in straight sets on Tuesday and will meet in a semi-final.
Djokovic was bothered by a flu and stomach bug in the lead-up to the event, but his form has been near faultless.
The Serb, bidding for an eighth grand slam title, is yet to drop a set but he knows the serve of close friend Raonic could stop that run.
"Tough one, definitely a tough one. I need to be at my best, top of my game, in order to win that match," Djokovic said of his date with Raonic, whose previous best finish in Melbourne was a fourth-round exit in 2013 and 2011.
"I played Milos, finals of Bercy last time (in October). I know what to expect. We practice a lot. We live in the same place. We're good friends.
"He's very confident. He's been playing some great tennis in last 15 months. He deserves to be where he is now, top 10, coming closer to top five of the world."
Djokovic has saved 10 of 11 break points he has faced during the tournament - comfortably the best rate among those players left in the draw.
Four-time Australian Open champion Djokovic has won a staggering 58 of 59 service games over the nine days - although Raonic has managed 71 of 73.
Meanwhile, Nishikori defeated Wawrinka at the quarter-final stage of last year's US Open and is ready for another five-set epic.
"For sure that gives me confidence," he said.
"I beat him, you know, in the US Open. It's not like I can't beat him."
Day 10 of the tournament starts with 19-year-old Madison Keys seeking to extend her breakthrough tournament in a quarter-final against childhood hero Venus Williams.
Keys will be spotting Williams 15 years of experience and seven grand slam titles on Wednesday.
The winner of that clash will face either top seed Serena Williams or last year's finalist Dominika Cibulkova, who are second up on Rod Laver Arena.
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