Australian Open: Highlights of Day 8

Australian Open began its second week with a bang. A look at the day's proceedings from Melbourne. (AFP and AP images)

The day began with a shocker. Five-time champion Serena Williams crashed to one of her worst ever grand slam defeats. She lost to little-known Russian Ekaterina Makarova.

Makarova, world number 56 beat out-of-sorts Williams 6-2, 6-3.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova had a good match too. She beat Ana Ivanovic of Serbia.

There however, was another great upset in the offing. Japan's Kei Nishikori built a stunning five-set victory over former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Nishikori became the first Japanese man into the Australian quarter-finals in 80 years and will now face Andy Murray.

While others were having a mixed day, India's Sania Mirza was pioneering her way ahead. The Indian ace reached the quarter-finals of both the women's doubles and the mixed doubles events with Elena Vesnina and Mahesh Bhupathi respectively.

David Ferrer too had it going his way. He beat Richard Gasquet of France in straight sets.

Russia's Maria Sharapova battled back from a set down to beat Germany's Sabine Lisicki. With the win, she reached the Australian Open quarter-finals, her best performance since lifting the title in 2008.

The last match of the day was also one which was intensely fought. Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fifth straight year with a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.