Australian Open 2012: day 10 - in pictures

Three-quarters of the Rod Laver arena are hidden in shadow as Andy Murray takes on Kei Nishikori in their men's quarter-final Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Andy Murray launches himself into a serve during the first set of his quarter final. The World No4 would the first set 6-3 against the World No26 Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Nishikori hits a return to Murray at the Rod Laver Arena. After beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous round, Nishikori struggles with the power of Murray to lose the second set 6-3 Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters

Murray's consistency and power is proving too much for Nishikori as the Scot takes a two-set advantage Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Nishikori vents his frustration as he sees the match beginning to slip away Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

The shadow of Nishikori on the court Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

It's all over in two hours and 12 minutes as Murray pulls away in the third set to win 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 and go through to his third successive Australian Open semi-final Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova serves as she takes Italian Sara Errani during their quarter-final Photograph: Mast Irham/Epa

Errani hits a return to Kvitova. The world No47 is appearing in her first grand slam singles quarter-final Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Kvitova reacts to a lost point against Errani. The world No2 struggled to find her rhythm but took the first set 6-4 Photograph: John Donegan/AP

Despite losing the first set, Errani makes a strong start to the second, taking a 4-1 lead Photograph: Sarah Ivey/AP

But Kvitova recovers strongly to win 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first Australian Open semi-final Photograph: Juergen Hasenkopf/Rex Features

Maria Sharapova takes on her fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova in their quarter-final. Sharapova is hoping to repeat her triumph of 2008 when she beat Ana Ivanovic in the final Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Sharapova takes the first set in convincing style, winning 6-2 Photograph: Mast Irham/EPA

Makarova plays a return during her quarter-final. The exertions of knocking Serena Williams out in the previous round seem to be taking their toll as she struggles to deal with the Sharapova serve Photograph: Ahmad Yusni/EPA

Sharapova makes light work of Makarova, winning 6-2 6-3 to set up a semi-final with Kvitova. If Sharapova wins the tournament she would become world No1 once more Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

In the night match at Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic takes on David Ferrer. The Serbian world No1 is hoping to repeat his victory of twelve months ago when he beat Andy Murray in the final Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters

Ferrer plays a backhand to Djokovic. The world No5 is hoping to reach the semi-final for the second succesive year Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Djokovic slides into a forehand. He would win the first two, closely-fought, sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) before pulling away in the third Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The strain shows on Ferrer's face as Djokovic dominates the third set Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images

Djokovic celebrates after beating Ferrer 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 to set up a date with Murray Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters