Second Service: Nadal cut after crucial win

 By Adrian Humphries 2:30PM 24 JAN 2011 BOOKMAKERS felt Rafael Nadal took a huge step towards regaining the Australian Open crown on Monday when he swept aside Marin Cilic 6-2 6-4 6-3 to advance to the last eight in Melbourne.

Cilic had beaten Nadal 6-1 6-3 in China in 2009 and the world No. 1 was well aware of the potential danger the Croat provided to his chance of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.

However, Nadal produced a sterling performance against Cilic, slowing down the pace of the match, and his reward is a clash against inferior fellow Spaniard and friend David Ferrer.

Nadal was no bigger than 6-4, and as short as evens, for the title after his win while second seed Roger Federer drifted to 23-10 after his great rival progressed.

A Nadal v Federer final, which was 13-8 before the tournament started, is now 6-5 with Paddy Power, while Bet365 go just 10-11.

Britain’s Andy Murray can never have enjoyed an easier path through a Grand Slam tournament. The world No. 5 was cut to 9-2, having been 8-1, after easing past Jurgen Melzer 6-3 6-1 6-1 just after his scheduled quarter-final opponent Robin Soderling was upset 1-6 6-3 6-1 4-6 6-2 by Alexandr Dolgopolov.

US Open champion Kim Clijsters was tops at 6-4 to claim a first Aussie Open singles crown after surviving a tough test against Eastbourne heroine Ekaterina Makarova, whom she beat 7-6 6-2.

Australian Open best outright prices before last night’s play – men: 6-4 R Nadal, 23-10 R Federer, 9-2 A Murray, 7 N Djokovic, 45 T Berdych, 66 S Wawrinka, 125 A Dolgopolov, D Ferrer; women: 6-4 K Clijsters, 4 C Wozniacki, 11-2 Na Li, 6 V Zvonareva, 12 P Kvitova, 20 A Petkovic, 50 F Schiavone, 100 A Radwanska.

FacebookDeliciousDiggStumbleUpon   TOP STORIES Grant looking to boost job prospects by keeping Hammers' run going 7:37pm 25 Jan 2011 Second Service: Federer still 2-1 despite hammering Wawrinka 1:00pm 25 Jan 2011 Road kings Green Bay 8-11 Bowl favourites 4:45pm 24 Jan 2011 2:30pm 24 Jan 2011 Leinster 5-2 for second Heineken win after kind draw 9:23pm 23 Jan 2011 Kaymer rises in rankings after Abu Dhabi success 9:10pm 23 Jan 2011 Australia whitewash 8-1 after Sydney ODI-stroll 8:34pm 23 Jan 2011 Baggies defeat sees Di Matteo cut to get sack 8:26pm 23 Jan 2011 Second Service: Federer stays at 7-4 after four-set Robredo success 1:38pm 23 Jan 2011 City out to 15-2 for title after defeat at Villa Park 7:41pm 22 Jan 2011 Show All Current Stories LATEST STORIES Grant looking to boost job prospects by keeping Hammers' run going 7:37pm 25 Jan 2011 Second Service: Federer still 2-1 despite hammering Wawrinka 1:00pm 25 Jan 2011 Road kings Green Bay 8-11 Bowl favourites 4:45pm 24 Jan 2011 2:30pm 24 Jan 2011 Leinster 5-2 for second Heineken win after kind draw 9:23pm 23 Jan 2011 Kaymer rises in rankings after Abu Dhabi success 9:10pm 23 Jan 2011 Australia whitewash 8-1 after Sydney ODI-stroll 8:34pm 23 Jan 2011 Baggies defeat sees Di Matteo cut to get sack 8:26pm 23 Jan 2011 Second Service: Federer stays at 7-4 after four-set Robredo success 1:38pm 23 Jan 2011 City out to 15-2 for title after defeat at Villa Park 7:41pm 22 Jan 2011 Show All Current Stories FOOTBALL Grant looking to boost job prospects by keeping Hammers' run going 7:37pm 25 Jan 2011 Baggies defeat sees Di Matteo cut to get sack 8:26pm 23 Jan 2011 City out to 15-2 for title after defeat at Villa Park 7:41pm 22 Jan 2011 Qatar World Cup 3-1 to be held during winter 5:43pm 20 Jan 2011 Arsenal in to 5-1 for Cup after despatching Leeds 10:49pm 19 Jan 2011 Adam 8-11 for January switch 5:41pm 20 Jan 2011 Citizens 7-1 for title after scraping past Wolves 7:52pm 15 Jan 2011 200-1 for no giants to fall 10:56pm 7 Jan 2011 Roy 1-2 to have bossed his last Reds league game 10:51pm 6 Jan 2011 Turmoil continues for Liverpool and Chelsea 10:14pm 5 Jan 2011 Show All Current Stories GOLF Kaymer rises in rankings after Abu Dhabi success 9:10pm 23 Jan 2011 Favourite Ogilvy now a doubtful Hyundai starter 1:18pm 6 Jan 2011 CRICKET Australia whitewash 8-1 after Sydney ODI-stroll 8:34pm 23 Jan 2011 Marvellous Marsh spearheads Australia victory 12:50pm 21 Jan 2011 England 8-11 for Ashes treble after SCG stroll 10:45pm 7 Jan 2011 England 1-12 to wrap-up SCG win in morning 1:52pm 6 Jan 2011 TENNIS Second Service: Federer still 2-1 despite hammering Wawrinka 1:00pm 25 Jan 2011 2:30pm 24 Jan 2011 Second Service: Federer stays at 7-4 after four-set Robredo success 1:38pm 23 Jan 2011 Second Service: Saturday's updates and betting news from the Australian Open 1:44pm 22 Jan 2011 Second Service: Thursday's updates and betting news from the Australian Open 1:44pm 20 Jan 2011 Second Service: Wednesday's updates and betting news from the Australian Open 2:50pm 19 Jan 2011 Updates and betting news from the Australian Open 1:39pm 21 Jan 2011 RUGBY Leinster 5-2 for second Heineken win after kind draw 9:23pm 23 Jan 2011 OTHER SPORTS Road kings Green Bay 8-11 Bowl favourites 4:45pm 24 Jan 2011 Rocket still 9-2 for world title after Power win 11:49pm 31 Oct 2010 Froch retains title with scrappy win 11:56am 18 Oct 2009 Specialist road racers should shine at Infineon 8:34am 21 Jun 2009 Roush stable has pedigree to tame Nascar's Monster Mile 12:12pm 31 May 2009 Search our News Archive Sport News RSS Feed All Racing Post RSS Feeds Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Download our iPhone app