Federer wins, Nadal extends streak

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Defending champion Roger Federer advanced to the Australian Open semifinals with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 win over Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday in a mismatch that had the intensity of a practice session.

Federer, aiming to become the first man to win five Australian titles, was playing in his record-tying 27th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal.

No. 19 Wawrinka was playing at this stage for only the second time at a major and struggled against Federer in the first all-Swiss quarterfinal at a Grand Slam. He had only beaten Federer once in their seven previous matches.

Earlier, Rafael Nadal improved his winning streak to 25 matches in Grand Slam events, beating No. 15 Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

Nadal already holds the French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns and hasn't lost in a major since the last year's quarterfinals at Melbourne Park. Nobody has held all four men's majors at once since Rod Laver in a calendar year in 1969.

Nadal's victory sets up a quarterfinal against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, who fended off big-serving 20-year-old Canadian qualifier Milos Raonic 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

Kim Clijsters wasted plenty of chances to break Ekaterina Makarova before winning 7-6 (3), 6-2.

She had two set points on Makarova's serve in the 12th game, but couldn't convert and it went to a tiebreaker. He conversion rate in that set was one of seven.

In the first game of the second set, Clijsters had triple break point but again couldn't cash in. Her conversion rate at that point was one of 10.

She held and broke for a 2-1 lead, then received an anti-inflammatory medication from the trainer for pain in her left hamstring. It seemed to cure her quickly.