Melbourne, Jan. 27 : Jelena Dokic''s fairytale Australian Open campaign could still be derailed should her tyrant father Damir choose to land up.

As she prepares for her quarter-final against world No. 3 Dinara Safina tonight, there are fears Dokic''s estranged father Damir - and his sniping from 15,000 km away in Serbia - could affect her renowned mental strength ahead of a match that will stop the nation.

The 25-year-old has made it clear she wants nothing to do with the man who forced her to leave Australia in 2001.

Melbourne - Vera Zvonareva booked the first of the semi-final places at the Australian Open on Tuesday as the Russian moved towards a breakthrough top five ranking with a 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Marion Bartoli.

Zvonareva is the forgotten figure among her more prominent Russian colleagues, her low-key profile assuring she remains in the shadows of the sport.

But the 24-year-old took her biggest step at a major with the victory over France's 2007 Wimbledon finalist.

Melbourne  - Tomas Berdych has joined Roger Federer in slamming the Hawk-Eye electronic linecalling system after its failure struck him at a key moment in his losing fourth-round match to the Swiss star at the Australian Open.

It's no secret that traditionalist Federer has never been a fan of the system - and his poor record on challenges proves that point.

But the system really caught Berdych at a bad time when it failed to function on a challenge he made - likely because of a deep shadow over one side of the court in late afternoon.

Melbourne  - After a lifetime based in Australia,  may be planning a possible move to the US in hopes of extending his tennis career.

Hewitt, 27, wife Bec Cartwright and the couple's two children could be set for a shift of continent within months, according to Melbourne's Herald Sun - all part of a strategy to dispel any notion that the former number one might soon retire after his ranking dropped out of the Top 100.

Hewitt crashed out in the Australian Open first round.

Melbourne, Jan. 26 : Australian Open officials have said that they will prevent tennis player Jelena Dokic''s estranged father Damir from meeting his daughter should he attempt to gatecrash her Australian Open party.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted tournament officials as saying on Monday that he is free to purchase tickets to Melbourne Park, but he would not be allowed to make contact with Australia''s comeback queen - unless given permission to do so by Dokic.

Melbourne, Jan. 26 : British tennis star Andy Murray's dream of lifting the Australian Open has ended. He lost to Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 2-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

According to The Telegraph, Murray struggled throughout his match against Verdasco, making uncharacteristic errors from both flanks.

It was a fantastic result for Verdasco, the No14 seed from Spain, whose powerful forehand and dangerous serve held up under pressure. Verdasco will now face either James Blake or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last eight.