Three-time runner-up Andy Murray edged closer to a fourth Australian Open decider Tuesday, but has surprise semi-finalist Tomas Berdych blocking his way.

The British sixth seed proved too experienced and disciplined for mercurial Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios, winning their night quarter-final in straight sets.

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Czech seventh seed Berdych provided the day's stunning result by ending a demoralising run of outs to dump a struggling Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the earlier last eight clash.

Berdych finally mastered the Spanish 14-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) in 2hr 13min.

Murray downed Kyrgios 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in 2hr 5min and will face seventh seed Czech Tomas Berdych for a place in the final.

The Scot was too composed and steady for the exciting 19-year-old and took his record over Australian players to 11-0 before a partisan home crowd.

In contrast to his lacklustre performance, the experienced Sharapova dominated young Canadian pretender Bouchard to set up an all-Russian semi-final with dark horse Ekaterina Makarova.

The world number two, who could claim the top ranking from arch-rival Serena Williams if she wins the title, showed her intent by breaking the seventh seed in the first game of the match and never looked back.

Billed as a Glam Slam showdown between two of the game's most marketable women, an intense Sharapova was all business in the crushing 6-3, 6-2 win on a cool, overcast Melbourne day.

She now faces Makarova, who raced through her match against third seed Simona Halep, thrashing the more-fancied Romanian 6-4, 6-0.