Rafael Nadal of Spain showed on the eighth day of the Australian Open once again that while he may not possess the best or the most attractive tennis armoury, he is definitely the gutsiest player player of this era.

His opponent, Andy Murray, on the other hand, showed that he the genius which at some point in the not too distant future could compete with Roger Federer and that his fitness and stamina are much improved, but he still lacks the experience and sense of which are the really big points. Murray was the clearly better player of the two on Monday but he lost, and that is something that which is not new in this sport – or, indeed,  in any sport.

Nadal won in five sets in what was probably the best match in the tournament so far, but there is no doubt also that Murray will have his day very soon.

German Tommy sneaked his way into quarterfinals by beating Argentinean David Nalbandian while Fernando Gonzales of Chile, one of the most dangerous players on the tour, beat James Blake, and Russian Nikolay Davydenko gave anlother solid performance to beat volatile 21-year-old Czech Tomas Berdych.

Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis all went through to the women's quarters with no problem, while Swiss Patty Schnyder was upset by 21st seed Ana Chavkvtadze from Russia.

On day nine, top-seeded favourite Federer will play an evening match against Tommy Robredo of Spain on the main Rod Laver Arena, while in day session the Melbourne crowds will be able to watch the all-Czech encounter between Nicole Vaidisova and unseeded Lucie Safarova; Serena Williams against Israeli Shahar Peer and Mardy Fish against fellow-American Andy Roddick.