Murray, Raonic to face-off in Australian Open semi-final after four set wins

Andy Murray's long-suffering quest for his first Australian Open title is still alive after he managed to negotiate a dogged challenge from David Ferrer, but will have a dark horse in big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic to content with in his semi-final.

Thirteenth seeded Raonic continued his perfect start to 2016 on center court on Wednesday evening, brushing aside a challenge from Frenchman Gael Monfils in four sets: 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Canadian was brutal with his service game, only giving up one break point to Monfils, who took full advantage of it to take the second set, but Raonic stepped up a gear in the third and fourth sets to become the first Canadian male to make an Australian Open semi-final.

Raonic said he was pleased to get through a match against such an unpredictable and often mercurial opponent.

"Against a tricky player I think perseverance was the key (to the win). I had a lot of opportunities I didn't make the most of, but I kept at it, and it worked," Raonic told the crowd after the win.

He said facing Murray in the semi-final would test his game to the limits, as Murray has proven to be one of the best defenders and returners on the tour.

"It'll be a great challenge. I believe I have it within myself to find the solution to win," Raonic said, "I'll put in all of my heart and effort, and I can't wait to make the most of the opportunity."

Earlier, the No. 2 seeded Murray fought off a typically dogged Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer, who took the second set from the Brit and for some time looked like causing a boil over.

However, a break of play midway through the third set was taken due to a fast-forming thunderstorm which was sweeping across Melbourne.

The break allowed Murray to regain composure, while Ferrer was audibly and visually upset at having to stop the match.

The No. 2 seed took the third and then the fourth to close out the match in a grueling three hours and 20 minutes: 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3.

Murray said he had prepared for a tight tussle with the 17-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in Ferrer, and added that being in peak physical condition was crucial to undoing the eighth seed's endurance-based game.

"It was a pretty brutal match. In the middle of the second set, we started to play long points and it was pretty physical," Murray said post-match.

The Scot said the break of play to close the roof over Rod Laver Arena was more beneficial to himself than his opponent.

"It was nice of us to have a break because we played some brutal rallies at the end of the second and start of the third. It was nice to come back refreshed," Murray said.

Meanwhile Ferrer said he squandered a number of opportunities against Murray, who punishes any complacency on the court.

The Spaniard, who has made almost 20 Grand Slam quarterfinals but never won Slam title, said despite the loss, Murray was one of the world's best players and there was no disgrace in losing to him in four sets.

"It was tough, it was close but he was better than me, especially with his backhand," Ferrer said in his press conference.

"But I'm happy with my tournament."

The winners, Murray and Raonic, have played each other six times, splitting the wins at three apiece - having last met on clay in Madrid last year. Andy Murray won that tussle, and the previous meeting on a hard court.

The pair will face-off in their semi-final in Melbourne on Friday. Endit