SERBIAN third seed Novak Djokovic brought local favourite Lleyton Hewitt's Australian Open to an end, while popular American James Blake set up a quarter-final with Roger Federer.

Djokovic saw off Hewitt in straight sets in front of a record crowd on the Rod Laver Arena to set up a tie with fifth seed David Ferrer, who downed fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 7- 5 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Blake, meanwhile, will take on world number one Federer, who beat Thomas Berdych, after overcoming Croatian surprise package Marin Cilic 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Djokovic overcame a lacklustre start to overpower the 19thseeded Australian 7-5 6-3 6-3 and said it was important to get on top early to quieten a vocal home crowd.

I knew it would be a tough encounter,'' Djokovic said.

Lleyton is a big champion, a former number one player and in front of his home crowd.

Even though I was a slight favourite in the match I was aware he plays best in front of his crowd and was not going to give up.'' Hewitt, coming off a marathon five-set epic against Marcos Baghdatis which ended at 4.34am local time on Sunday morning, made all the running early to break Djokovic and take a 4-2 lead.

Hewitt had two opportunities to break for a 5-2 advantage in the next game but Djokovic held his nerve before breaking the Australian to draw level.

From there it was one-way traffic, with the Serb snatching another break in the 12th game to close out the set 7-5.

The tenacious Hewitt broke Djokovic again early in the second set but gave it straight back in the next game as the Serb started to find his range from the back of the court.

The world number three broke Hewitt once more in the sixth game before taking the set 6-3.

The third set saw Djokovic break Hewitt twice more to ease to a comfortable victory.

However, in a warning to all those eyeing his crown, Federer looked in top shape by ousting Berdych 6-4 7-6 (9/7) 6-3.

Apart from a second set scare in which Berdych had two set points, Federer was untroubled against one of the rising stars.

Federer said: I felt good. Of course it throws off your rhythm a little bit playing a five-setter.

Usually I play five-setters (only) in finals like in Miami, Rome and Wimbledon so it's a bit different to back it up. But honestly I felt good and I am looking forward to seeing how I feel in the next match again.'' Ana Ivanovic is hoping for a case of third-time lucky after setting up a quarter-final with Venus Williams.

The fourth-seeded Serbian moved into her first Australian Open quarter-final with a 6-1 7- 6 (7/2) win over Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, but a familiar foe will be waiting for her in the last eight on Wednesday in eighth seed Williams.