TENNIS: Andy Murray's conqueror Fernado Verdasco added another scalp to his record as he booked his place in the last four of the Australian Open.
The Spanish surprise package beat last year's runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2) 3-6 6-3 6-2 to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Verdasco's display against Murray had been patchy and their match could have gone either way, but on this occasion he fully deserved his victory.
A first-serve percentage of 78 often helped Verdasco get out of any trouble he found himself in - Tsonga converted just two of 13 break points. In contrast, Verdasco won all four of his break chances.
With the extreme-heat policy introduced and the roof on the Rod Laver Arena closed, it was nip and tuck in the early stages. But once Verdasco got on top in the third set he pushed on for a convincing win.
There was a predictably tight start to the match, with no breaks of serve in the first set.
Tsonga created four break chances but couldn't take any of them and he was made to pay in the following tie-break as Verdasco claimed it with ease.
However, the Frenchman hit back in set two, securing the first break of the match in the sixth game and then serving out to square the match.
Verdasco finally fashioned a break point of his own at the start of the third set and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to open a 2-0 lead.
Having made the breakthrough, the Spaniard made it back-to-back breaks in Tsonga's next service game and although the fifth seed managed to retrieve one of the breaks, Verdasco managed to push on to take a two-sets-to-one lead.
With all the momentum now with the 14th seed, he broke to love in the opening game of the fourth to leave his opponent deep in trouble.
It was a hole he was unable to drag himself out of, leaving Verdasco with a semi-final meeting with either top seed Rafael Nadal or Gilles Simon.