Comeback queen Henin seizes stage as Nadal, Murray advance

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MELBOURNE - Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray played giant killers to eliminate the biggest serving pair in the game as Justine Henin continued to shine in her Grand Slam return Sunday at the Australian Open.

Second-seeded holder Nadal successfully negotiated the obstacle of Ivo Karlovic’s giant delivery, taming the Croatian 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Murray reached his career-high showing at Melbourne Park as he defeated towering American John Isner 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2.

Belgian Henin, back as an unseeded danger-woman after reversing a retirement to return to the tennis stage, defeated compatriot Yanina Wickmayer, a US Open semi-finalist, 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-3 rallying through into a quarter-final meeting with Nadia Petrova.

Russian outsider Petrova staged an upset with a fourth round win over third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

“It’s a great feeling to be in the quarters,” said the seven-time Grand Slam winner. “I enjoyed my time on the court. I was expecting a tough match. I’m glad I could come through.”

Maria Kirilenko advanced 5-4 as second seed Dinara Safina was unexpectedly haunted by the back pain which bothered her during 2009.

“It suddenly hit me, it was getting worse and worse,” said former number one Safina. “I have no idea really how it could happen. It’s really, really terrible.

“I have to go back to Germany to my doctor to speak with him. I just don’t know what happened. It’s shocking.”

Between them, Karlovic and Isner rained down 42 serves, but won a cumulative one set.

Nadal kept Karlovic in check over two and a half hours, firing 35 winners in comparison to 55 for the towering Croatian loser.

The Spaniard broke a minimal once per set while dropping his only serve in the second set. Surprisingly, the match did not feature a tiebreaker, a rarity in Karlovic matches where serve is everything.

“I knew how tough it would be, if he serves well you can do nothing” said Nadal, who beat Roger Federer in a five-set final a year ago. “I focused all the time on moving well.

“A quarter-finals good for my confidence,” said the player whose last title came in Rome last May. “It will be tough against Andy, but I”m here to try and win.

“I’ll try to be aggressive with my forehand and keep him behind the baseline. Otherwise, I hope I will have a good flight home.”

Fifth seed Murray has finally passed the fourth round, where he stalled for two of the past three years. He showed maturity as he eased through in just over two hours despite 14 aces and 59 winners from the 2.05-metre American Isner.

“He’s got one of the best serves in the game,” said Murray. “But you have to get used to the height (from which the ball arrives).

“Obviously certain things are similar to playing Karlovic, whom I’ve played a few times. John doesn’t really serve and volley much, he plays a bit more from the baseline. And he’s got more variety on his serve.”

The Scot called the first set - where he saved a set point - the key to victory.

“It was very important. He may have been a bit tired, winning in Auckland (last week), having long matches and also playing doubles. I’m happy to go through.”

Croatian Marin Cilic eliminated US Open winner Juan Del Potro of Argentina, seeded fourth, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.