Milos Raonic, the top surviving seed at Australian Open, enters quarterfinals

Milos Raonic, who is the top surviving seed at the Australian Open after the ouster of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, entered the quarterfinals after beating Bautista Agut

Third seed Milos Raonic came safely through a potentially tricky match against Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals for the third straight year. (Rafael Nadal vs Gael Monfils quarterfinal live updates and score)

Milos Raonic, who is now the top surviving seed after the exit of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, sailed into the quarterfinals after beating Bautista Agut in four sets. (Reuters)

The Canadian, the highest surviving seed after the early departures of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, stamped his authority on a sometimes tempestuous match by breaking the Spanish world number 13 to win the third set.

Teak tough Bautista Agut is nothing if not a fighter but Raonic, who said he had been suffering from a fever after his third-round match, raced away with the fourth set to seal the victory with a forehand winner down the line.

The 26-year-old, who fired down 33 aces and 75 winners in the two hour, 52 minute contest, will next meet 2009 champion Rafael Nadal or Gael Monfils as he continues his quest for a maiden grand slam title.