Australian Open: Bautista Agut downs Cilic. Tiafoe edges Dimitrov

.

This is the most significant result for the Spaniard at Majors after losing the previous nine fourth-round appearances and he earned it with a better performance on the second serve, facing just five break points in the entire match and controlling his shots beautifully to cross the finish line first.

Roberto had 44 winners and 38 unforced errors, withstanding 65 direct points from Cilic who also sprayed more than 70 errors, unable to find open space or defend the second serve like he would have wanted. Cilic, who lost to Federer in the final a year ago, had to play against 13 break points and he gave the serve away on five occasions to drop a massive amount of points and let Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori move passed him.

After four easy holds on both sides, Bautista Agut drew first blood in game nine with a break, failing to serve out for the opener as Marin broke back instantly to prolong the first part of the match. From 6-2 down in the breaker Roberto won the next four points to save set points before Marin grabbed the last two points for an 8-6 after an hour.

Bautista Agut was the player to beat in set number two, dropping four points on serve and securing a break at 4-3 that led to a good hold in game nine, wrapping up the set and hoping for more of the same in the rest of the encounter.

He stayed the dominant figure on the court in set number three as well, sailing through his service game breaking Marin in games one and seven for a 6-2, looking strong to clinch the win after the next set. With his back pushed against the wall, Cilic started to play better in his games in the fourth set, controlling the pace with serve and forehand and waiting for a chance on the return that appeared at 5-4 when he broke Roberto at 15 to take the set 6-4 and force a decider where he attempted to notch his second straight marathon win.

After early break points that both wasted, Bautista Agut settled into a fine rhythm and he found the way to score a crucial break at 4-4, moving ahead and cementing the win with a rock-solid hold in game ten for the place in last eight at Majors for the first time.

.

The Bulgarian had more aces and he won five points more overall, not the most important ones obviously as he grabbed just three breaks from 18 break chances, a way too low in a close match like this. On the other hand, Frances scored five breaks from 13 opportunities and that was enough to forge the triumph for him and send him into the quarters where he will face world no.

2 Rafael Nadal. The young American had more winners and more unforced errors, imposing his shots and staying competitive to earn one of his biggest wins in a career so far. The youngster claimed the opener despite facing eight break points, leading 5-3 before Dimitrov bounced back to 5-5, only to lose serve again in the very next game before Taifoe held for a 7-5.

The American pretty much stole the second set from Grigors hands, trailing 4-2 and having to play against three set points in the tie break. From 6-3 down, Frances rattled off five straight points to wrap up the set somehow, gaining a huge two sets to love lead before the rest of the encounter.

Grigor did a similar thing in the third set, coming back from 4-2 down to win the set in the tie break and extend his chances before another mighty close fourth set that could have gone to both sides. Trailing 5-4, Frances conquered 12 of the last 14 points, breaking Grigor at 5-5 and sealing the deal with a great hold in the following game that pushed him into the quarters.

<table