It was supposed to be a rematch of the Davis Cup final decider between world No.3 Juan Carlos Ferrero and Australian Mark Philippoussis.

Instead, Moroccan Hicham Arazi will meet the Spaniard on centre court in today's Australian Open quarter-final, having carved up Philippoussis and Australian hopes of a home town grand slam win in their fourth round clash on Monday.

Ferrero, who has been battling a leg injury evidenced by a huge bandage on his thigh during his past two matches, goes in hot favourite to advance to the semis.

But Arazi is capable of causing a surprise, according to Philippoussis, who watched in disbelief as the Moroccan sent winner after winner powering past him.

"He's very talented and he's been a little wild with some of his shots in the past," Philippoussis said.

"He seemed very controlled and very patient (against me). And when he did go for them, he looked in control.

"So it will be interesting to see how he plays his next match." The winner's semi-final will be against the victor of tonight's centre court clash between No.2 seed Roger Federer and No.8 seed David Nalbandian, who has been slipping under the radar on his way through the draw.

The Argentine has not dropped a set on his way to the quarter-finals, but Federer was red-hot in dispatching Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in four sets on Monday night.

The suspect ankle of women's No.2 seed Kim Clijsters will get its sternest test to date against No.6 seed Anastasia Myskina of Russia in their quarter-final.

Clijsters cruised through her four matches to date despite the injury sustained at the Hopman Cup in Perth which forced her to withdraw from the adidas International in Sydney - the lead-up to the Australian Open.

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