Andy Murray is on a roll but tricky path suggests the title is far from won

Updated 20/01/2017 at 17:14 GMT

In-depth: Punters and bookmakers feel the Australian Open is as good as being in Andy Murray's hands but are they right? Is it that simple?

Britain's Andy Murray prepares to serve against Sam Querrey of the US during their men's singles third round match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2017.

Image credit: AFP

What happened?

It started with Murray's rival Novak Djokovic being dumped out of the tournament by world number 117 Denis Istomin in what was probably the biggest upset of his career.

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With many tipping the slam to go to either Djokovic or Murray it was naturally presumed that the world number one would march onwards to the title.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after a point against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin

Image credit: AFP

This optimism didn't diminish when Murray beat American Sam Querrey in straight sets on Friday but if you take a closer look at the draw it isn't that simple.

Andy Murray eases past Sam Querrey to make last 16

Swiss threat

You would expect Murray to come through his fourth round match against Mischa Zverev, but after that he could face Roger Federer and then Stan Wawrinka. Of course Murray will start favourite for both games, but equally both are far from straight forward.

Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts after a point against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych during their men's singles third round match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2017.

Image credit: AFP

Of course Federer is far from the force he once was and yes he hadn't necessarily looked truly fit, but things seemed to be clicking during his match against Tomas Berdych. In fact as the game against Berdych wore on Federer looked better and better. Certainly not like a man who had taken an extended break.

Federer has the experience and he will have a lot of the crowd on his side should he face Murray - if he gets off to a good start then anything is possible.

Federer dazzles with sublime drop shot

However Wawrinka will pose the bigger test for Murray and the world number four will fancy his chances. He showed great spirit to battle back from a set down against Viktor Troicki and with Djokovic out he will feel he has a terrific chance of winning the tournament.

What if it isn't the Swiss?

Not facing Federer is not necessarily a good thing for Murray, as his other potential opponent will be Kei Nishikori, who has quietly gone about his business without too much of a fuss. Nishikori's potential match against Federer could be one of the games of the tournament and either would be a match for Murray.

Japan's Kei Nishikori hits a return against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko during their men's singles third round match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2017.

Image credit: AFP

Should Wawrinka not get through then it's likely that Murray will be facing either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or compatriot Dan Evans. The match between Murray and Tsonga at Wimbledon in 2016 was fantastic, while the pressure Murray would be under against Evans would be immense. Is it likely Evans would beat Murray? No, of course not. But he'll know Murray's game and how to rattle him.

Highlights: Evans downs local Tomic to reach last 16

The final hurdle

If Murray is to finally win the Australian Open then his opponent in the final will probably be Milos Raonic, unless Rafael Nadal can pull off something special. Nadal would be an interesting one, he leads the head-to-head over the past three seasons 4-2.

Murray has never lost to Raonic at a major, beating him in last year's Wimbledon final and Australian Open semi-final, but the Canadian will be out for revenge. His side of the draw is now his to lose following Djokovic's exit and if he gets through the Nadal match he will be on a massive high.

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