Australian Open: David Ferrer wears down Florian Mayer to reach last eight

Spain's world number three David Ferrer overcame Germany's Florian Mayer in four sets to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open on Sunday. Ferrer dropped the opening set in a tiebreaker before going on to win 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 in just under three hours on Hisense Arena. (Click here for all the updates on Australian Open)

It is the terrier-like Spaniard's fourth consecutive quarter-final at the Australian Open and fifth overall as he bids to better his losing semi-final appearance against Novak Djokovic last year. (Also read: Djokovic romps into quarters)

The languid Mayer, who had beaten Ferrer three times in their seven previous encounters, troubled the Spaniard in the opening set. (Serena knocked out by Ivanovic)

But Ferrer progressively wore him down, hitting a total of 64 winners and claiming nine service breaks. (Also read: Li Na races into quarters)

Once again Ferrer was rock-solid from the baseline, hitting a total of 44 forehand winners. (Pennetta makes her first Australian Open quarters)

Ferrer will face either Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych or 19th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson in the quarters.