TOP seed Rafael Nadal believes he is in better form than during last year’s run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Nadal, who has yet to drop a set, defeated Fernando Gonzalez, the 13th seed from Chile, 6-3 6-2 6-4 in one hour and 55 minutes.

While he didn’t look quite as sharp as he had when ousting Tommy Haas in the previous round, Nadal did enough to comfortably win.

‘‘Probably I am playing a little bit better than last year, I think,’’ said Nadal. ‘‘I am not saying I’m going to be in the final or I’m going to be in the semi-finals.

‘‘I just think the feeling is a little bit better.’’ Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and James Blake had to contend with a fireworks display celebrating Australia Day midway through their night match on Rod Laver Arena.

While the Frenchman came through in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7/3), he admitted the break for the display had been a distraction.

‘‘Yeah, a little bit, because after that I was a little bit stressed,’’ said Tsonga. ‘‘It was difficult to serve just after the fireworks. But I did the job.’’ Elena Dementieva has shrugged off suggestions she is the favourite to win the women’s title after she extended her winning run to 14 matches with an easy 6-2 6-2 fourth-round win over Dominika Cibulkova.

With world number one Jelena Jankovic, fifth seed Ana Ivanovic and sixth seed Venus Williams all falling by the wayside, attention has turned to the Russian fourth seed as a leading contender for the crown, with third seed Dinara Safina saying she is the one to beat.