Monfils crashes out

Last year's finalists Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray both cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday, but 14th seed Gael Monfils crashed out after an epic five-set loss to Mikhail Kukushkin.

French duo Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet were both impressive in their victories, while Spanish No.5 seed David Ferrer recovered from an early 0-4 deficit to also reach the last 16 along with Japanese No.24 seed Kei Nishikori.

World No.1 Djokovic, who also won the Australian Open title four years ago, was again in a hurry as he capitalised on an injured opponent, casting aside Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-0 6-1 6-1 in just 74 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Having also demolished both Italian Paolo Lorenzi and Colombian Santiago Giraldo earlier in the week, Djokovic has conceded just 10 games in three matches and spent an average of a tick under 90 minutes on the court.

Djokovic crashed 31 winners past Mahut, the man who famously lost 70-68 in the deciding set against American John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010, and committed just eight unforced errors in the sublime display.

Djokovic will take on Lleyton Hewitt in a blockbuster fourth-round meeting after the local veteran defeated Canadian 23rd seed Milos Raonic 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

The win means Djokovic will meet the winner of Saturday night's centre-court clash between veteran local hero Lleyton Hewitt and Canadian rising star Milos Raonic.

Murray was made to work a little harder against Michael Llodra, but still had little trouble in wrapping up the 6-4 6-2 6-0 win in 109 minutes at Hisense Arena.

A solitary break in the third game was all Murray needed to take a tight first set before the fourth seed really put his foot down to motor through the final two sets.

Murray finished the match with an astonishing 48 winners and just 11 unforced errors in a near-perfect performance that could have his more fancied rivals worried heading into the second week of the tournament.

He will now play Kukushkin after the Kazakhstani produced one of the upsets of the tournament with a remarkable 6-2 7-5 5-7 1-6 6-4 victory over Monfils at Margaret Court Arena.

After taking the first set, world No.92 Kukushkin looked set for an easy victory with Monfils clearly hampered by a back injury.

But despite trailing 1-5 in the second set, Monfils hit back to level the set before Kukushkin regrouped to take a stranglehold of the match.

Nerves got the better of the 24-year-old when he served for the match at 5-4 in the third set as Monfils dropped just one of the next 10 games to send the match into a deciding set.

The Frenchman grabbed the initiative with an early break, but Kukushkin soon levelled before a double fault from Monfils handed the Kazakh the victory after three hours and 40 minutes.

Earlier, Tsonga gave Portugal's Frederico Gil an almighty hiding, dumping his helpless opponent 6-2 6-2 6-2 in just 91 minutes to confirm his place in the last 16.

The No.6 seed, who was beaten by Djokovic in the 2008 final at Melbourne Park and then also made the semi-finals here two years ago, was in a ruthless mood at Hisense Arena as he blasted Gil off the court.

Tsonga was unbelievably efficient when presented with opportunities on Gil's serve, breaking the first five times he had the chance to