Federer going for broke, sometimes finding the line, sometimes going wide, but his aggressive ploy works as a bulldozing return is too hot for Tsonga to handle for 30-30. But the Frenchman holds his nerve and holds with a whopping serve to the wings.

Federer and Tsonga have played each other on five previous occasions at Grand Slams and it is perhaps because of such familiarity that the pair are unleashing venomous strikes from the off. Tsonga has had his chances but three consecutive drop shots from Federer and the Swiss consolidates his break.

A sloppy start from Tsonga who nets a forehand on the run and then bashes an overhead into the tape to allow his opponent to sneak 15-30 ahead. It's the Swiss who has started the better, soaking up Tsonga's blows from the baseline and ending the rally with a super overhead. One chance is all Federer needs. A clean winner down the line.

Federer, wearing a red headband to go with his scarlet trainers. No-one can accuse the Swiss of not being able to co-ordinate an outfit. Tsonga misfiring on the backhand to give Federer some breathing space at 30-15 and the sixth seed eases to within a point of holding by advancing to the net. The first sound of oohs from the spectators, though, as they watch Federer net a backhand into the tape, but then Tsonga's backhand falters once more and it's first blow to Federer.

Hello! John has left his desk, muttering something about needing sleep, so it's me, Aimee, here to take you through Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's match on Rod Laver Arena. The two making final preparations, adjusting the bandana, taking a few last sips of juice, before getting this tantalising tie under way.

"He's a fun player to watch but not to play against," says Murray of Robert. "He made it very tricky for me, he's very unorthodox. You want to, if you can, close these matches out when you have the opportunity. I think I had three or four match points on my own serve. I tried to stay focused at the beginning of the fourth set, got an early break and that helped."

Image source, AP

Murray's reward for reaching the last eight is a quarter-final tie against either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, whose match is under way now on Rod Laver Arena.

Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Andy Murray will be delighted with that in the end. There were some really good tennis. He had a blip in the third set but the fourth set was a case of normal service resumed."

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Murray lets out a squeal of delight as Robert cracks a forehand into the net, the Scot doubtless as relieved as he is pleased as he finally takes a match point at the seventh attempt, securing a fifth consecutive quarter-final at the Australian Open and a 12th straight last-eight appearance in all Grand Slams.

Murray responds in kind, holding serve to love and finishing with a thundering ace.

Robert enjoys an easy hold in rapid time as, unusually, Murray misses three consecutive returns.

Catch up with the day so far in our round-up.

Men's results

Women's results

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"The person who said it was a mismatch two hours ago has long since headed for the warmth of the media room, and did not witness the Murray meltdown and round of jeers as the third set slipped away. Heading back from a quick comfort break I pass a couple of members of Team Murray, who don't seem too concerned. 'Good luck,' I say. 'Hopefully we don't need it,' comes the response. Two minutes later and their man has the break."

If Robert is struggling at all, that point won't have helped. He does seem to be moving easily enough, but Murray pushes him all over the court at 15-15 before the Frenchman sends a forehand into the net, and the Scot closes the game out with an ace straight down the middle.

Least surprising news of the day - Robert has a bit of an injury. The 33-year-old has already played six matches to get this far - three more than Murray - and has never experienced getting to the second week of a Slam before.

It's not clear what the problem is or how much it's affecting him, but Murray capitalises, quickly earning three break points and taking the first of them. Normal service resumed?

Buoyed by breaking Murray at the end of the last set, Robert gets a foothold in the game but Murray responds. He edges ahead courtesy of a strong serve at 40-15, which Robert is unable to retrieve.

Robert is flying at the moment - this might just be the best hour of the 33-year-old's career. He's never got past the second round of a Grand Slam before but, after getting a bit of a pasting in the early stages here, he's suddenly looking very much at home on Hisense Arena. A straightforward service hold only increases his growing confidence.

Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Robert didn't expect to still be here 10 days ago, let alone in this match. Andy Murray has got to put that last set out of his mind and get back to business and establish his superiority over Robert, who really is turning it on and settling into this moment well."

After squandering those match points, Murray could have allowed his concentration to slip here, but he takes the lead in the fourth set, conceding just the one point in the opening game.

This definitely wasn't in the script. Murray recovers from 2-4 down to lead 6-4 but squanders two match points at 6-4 and Robert suddenly, out of nowhere, has a set point.

And he capitalises, Murray going long with a forehand as Robert takes it and we go into a fourth.