Maria Sharapova faces Eugenie Bouchard in one of the key match-ups at the Australian Open today. Photo / Getty Images
Andy Murray is looking to continue his long hex over Australian players, Rafa Nadal out to set an improbable ATP record and Maria Sharapova needs to stop 'Genie' Bouchard's magical run as Michael Burgess previews day nine of the Australian Open
Rafa's unprecedented record
Rafa Nadal vs Tomas Berdych
The Spanish player
is on a 17 match winning run versus the Czech - the equal longest head to head streak in the ATP era. Nadal will be favourite to record his 18th victory today but don't underestimate Berdych; he was one missed volley away from a two sets to love lead the last time they met in a quarter final in Melbourne in 2012, before losing 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3.
Head to head: Nadal leads 18-3
Andy's Aussie hex
Andy Murray vs Nick Kyrgios
Murray loves playing against Australians - he has never lost to them across ten meetings. Murray also hasn't been defeated in Melbourne by a player outside the top 50 (Kyrgios is ranked 53) since 2006. The Scot displayed some of his best form in the fourth round and should be too strong for the exciting Kyrgios. But don't count out the 19-year-old kid from Canberra, who would be the youngest player to reach a grand slam semi final since Rafa Nadal in 2005.
Eugenie Bouchard vs Maria Sharapora
The Russian world No2 against the Canadian seventh seed. The 27-year-old Sharapova has got stronger with every match in this tournament, after surviving a massive scarce against Russian qualifier Alexandra Panova in the second round, where she staved off two match points in a two and a half hour marathon. Sharapova has enjoyed success here before - she won the title in 2008 - and will be aiming for her second major in two years.
Meanwhile, Bouchard is assembling a strong grand slam record so early in her career but has only one win from nine matches against top five opposition. The Canadian has never beaten Sharapova, though their last clash was a tight three set affair.
