Andy Murray of Britain hits a forehand return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a forehand return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Kei Nishikori of Japan runs to make a return to Andy Murray of Britain during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Andy Murray of Britain stretches for a return shot to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a forehand return to Andy Murray of Britain during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Kei Nishikori of Japan reaches for a return to Andy Murray of Britain during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Sarah Ivey)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ? Andy Murray did his part to enforce the status quo in men's tennis, as have Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Now it's up to Novak Djokovic to ensure that the top four players get through to the Australian Open semifinals.
The fourth-ranked Murray joined Nadal and Federer in the Australian Open final four on Wednesday when the British hope beat Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Next up Wednesday on Rod Laver Arena, No. 1-ranked Djokovic will attempt to join the players ranked Nos. 2-4 with a quarterfinal win over fifth-seeded David Ferrer.
No. 2-ranked Nadal and third-seeded Federer won their quarterfinal matches on Tuesday to set up their first Grand Slam semifinal meeting since the 2005 French Open.
It has been rarely possible since because the pair held the top two spots for most of the time between 2005 and 2010, meaning they could only meet in the finals.
Murray, for his part, is also surprised to be not facing Nadal in the semifinals.
"It has been amazing, I pretty much drew to be in Nadal's half ... almost every Slam," Murray said. "I can't remember the last time I wasn't in his half of the draw. It's been a long time.
"It doesn't make a huge difference. Not like the match on Friday's going to be easy, because Novak's obviously playing great tennis and David's excellent, as well. It doesn't change too much."
He said the scoreline against Nishikori didn't reflect the challenge in the first two sets, which included a 42-shot rally in the second game.
"That was a long point. ... Right after the point I thought I'm going to quit this match," Nishikori said, smiling. "After a couple games, I was OK."
In women's quarterfinals, two of the three players who can take the No. 1 ranking advanced to the semifinals ? former and reigning Wimbledon winners Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova.
Sharapova won 6-2, 6-3 against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who knocked out five-time champion Serena Williams in the previous round. Kvitova earlier reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the first time with a 6-4, 6-4 win over unseeded Italian Sara Errani.
The other player who can reach No. 1 ? third-seeded Victoria Azarenka ? plays defending champion Kim Clijsters in the other semifinal Thursday.
Sharapova must repeat her 2008 Australian title run if she is to take over the No. 1 spot from Caroline Wozniacki, who lost any chance of maintaining her top ranking when she lost in the quarterfinals to Clijsters. Kvitova only has to match or better Azarenka to take the top spot.
Sharapova has dropped one set and lost 21 games in five matches.
"It's been a long road back to this stage," said Sharapova, who spent 10 months off the court with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Sharapova held the No. 1 ranking for seven weeks each in 2005 and 2007 and three weeks in mid-2008.
"I've been fortunate enough to be in that position before," Sharapova said. "I think the girls that are trying to get that position haven't been in that position before. It's a little bit different because I feel like I've experienced both things in my career: winning Grand Slams and being No. 1 in the world. You can't compare the two."
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