Murray canters into 12th semi

Andy Murray produced his best performance of the Australian Open so far, beating Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 to book his place in the semis.

Murray has had a relatively easy ride to this stage, but Chardy promised to give the Scot a sterner test. The unseeded Frenchman was victorious in their last encounter and had already upset three seeded players - including sixth seed Del Potro - in getting to his first even slam quarter-final.

Alert to the danger, the third seed came out firing and surged into a 4-0 lead. Staring at the wrong end of a beating, Chardy's huge forehand clicked into gear and the Frenchman began to make his presence felt.  

Murray relinquished the first break to love and was wobbling when serving at *4-3, but two big first deliveries averted the danger.

Chardy looked deflated and, ominously, Murray's started to click into high gear, finally showing the form of a Slam winner. The Scot seamlessly combined his trademark defence with outright agression, transitioning from one to the other with ease.

Face with this Chardy was powerless to resist and ceded the last two sets for just three games.

Murray will meet Federer or Tsonga in the semi-final on Friday.