Update 4:20 pm. West Australian qualifier Matt Ebden shocked eighth seed Denis Istomin on Thursday to reach the Brisbane International quarterfinals.
World No.196 Ebden downed a player ranked 156 places higher than him 6-4 6-4 in 73 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena.
And French fourth seed Marion Bartoli became the first woman through to the semifinals after cruising to a 6-2 6-1 win over Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
Ebden, 23, picked up where he left off last year to reach his first ATP quarterfinal in style.
The Perth resident was one of 2010’s big improvers, at one stage climbing from No.331 to a career-best 162.
Recently rewarded with an Australian Open wildcard, he added to his resume on Thursday by downing world No.40 Istomin – the first player from Uzbekistan to crack the world top 50.
The Delhi Commonwealth Games singles bronze medalist has made a habit of turning heads at the Brisbane International.
He upset world No.28 Jurgen Melzer last year to reach the second round before being ousted by Richard Gasquet.
Ebden’s reward will be to face top seed Robin Soderling who was too strong for German Michael Berrer.