Alicia Molik became the first Australian woman to break into the world's top 10 for two decades after a ground-breaking straight-sets win over Venus Williams in the Australian Open fourth round.

Molik prevailed 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to mark her maiden win over the former world No.1, book her first career grand slam quarter-final appearance and become the first local woman into the Australian Open final eight in 17 years.

But as momentous as the win was on a personal note, Molik now faces an even higher hurdle on Australia Day - just a day before her 24th birthday - when she meets top seed Lindsay Davenport on Rod Laver Arena.

Molik's victory capped a banner day for the locals.

In the previous centre-court match her fellow South Australian Lleyton Hewitt also booked his first ever entry to the Open quarter-finals.

As impressive as Hewitt's win was, Molik's was arguably more creditable given that no Australian female had reached the quarter-finals here since Anne Minter and short-term Aussie Hana Mandlikova in 1988.

That same year was the last time Australia had a representative in the quarters of both singles draws.

"The key today was I was not ever going to lose the match waiting for Venus to make mistakes," Molik said.

"I made my shots, I hit the corners, I served well, so I can be pretty satisfied.

"I knew if I could keep the pressure on I would create opportunities for myself."

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