Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov ended home hopes of a first men’s champion in 42 years with victory over Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open.

Third seed Dimitrov, 26, won 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) in a gripping night-session contest in Melbourne.

He goes on to face Britain’s Kyle Edmund in the last eight on Tuesday.

“Playing against Nick is always tricky, two weeks ago I lost against him. He was serving unbelievably, playing unbelievably,” said Dimitrov.

“He fought really hard and it’s one of those matches you have to take any opportunity you have.

“Even serving for the match I felt it wasn’t over. I am just glad to get through that match.”

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Kyrgios paid tribute to his opponent, who he believes could go on to lift a first Grand Slam title next Sunday.

“It was a tough match – I knew it would be,” said the 22-year-old.

“He hasn’t found his best form yet, and he is still getting through all these matches, which is frightening.

“Once he finds his feet and gets more confidence, he has a real chance of winning. Sometimes I think he lacks a bit of belief. He’s got the game so hopefully he can believe in himself and he can go all the way.”

The meeting of last year’s semi-finalist and the home favourite had been much anticipated, and it lived up to the billing.

Dimitrov found the form that almost defeated Rafael Nadal 12 months ago as he built a two-set lead thanks to two high-quality tie-breaks.

The Bulgarian took the first after a dart to the net and a big cross-court forehand brought up three set points, and 17th seed Kyrgios could only double fault.

Dimitrov then took a grip on proceedings at 4-3 in the second set with the first break of the match after a loose Kyrgios game, but played a poor game when trying to serve it out and the Australian converted his first break point after an hour and a half.

A second tie-break followed and again it was Dimitrov who took the initiative, skipping around his backhand to fire a forehand winner at 4-4 that set him on his way.

The Bulgarian had a chance to grab a potentially decisive break early in the third but it passed him by, and when he sent a forehand wide to drop serve it invigorated Kyrgios and the home crowd.

With his serve now in a groove, Kyrgios powered through the third set and saved two break points at the start of the fourth, one of them with a blistering second-serve ace.

After clawing his way back into contention, Kyrgios appeared to have given the match away when he inexplicably netted a smash to fall 5-3 behind.

However, a rasping backhand winner prevented Dimitrov from serving out the match and a third tie-break would be required.

It was Kyrgios who buckled, netting a forehand with the court wide open at 3-3, and Dimitrov suffered no repeat of his earlier wobble as he clinched victory with a brilliant forehand winner.

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British number two Kyle Edmund said “you have to believe” when asked whether he can win the Australian Open.

The 23-year-old beat Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3 to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

He will play third-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov next and sees no reason why he cannot make further progress.

“That’s why I’m in the quarter-finals – because every time I step on the court, I believe I’m going to win,” said Edmund.

“It’s no different now. The next opponent, I take it one step at a time.

“I have to believe I’m going to win and believe in my game.”

The story so far

Edmund is ranked 49th in the world and has yet to reach an ATP final, but claimed the best win of his career in rankings terms when he beat 11th seed Kevin Anderson in round one.

The Yorkshireman changed his coaching team at the end of last year and the role is now split between Briton Mark Hilton and Swede Fredrik Rosengren, with the latter on duty in Melbourne.

Edmund spent his off-season at his new base in the Bahamas working on his serve in particular, and 25 aces played a huge part in the win over Seppi.

“It’s a very small margin and balance between winning and losing,” said Edmund. “It’s always been like that.

“I have known that I have not been far off. Now that I’m winning, it’s just small, small margins in an elite sport.”

Edmund’s Grand Slam record

Edmund has become used to answering questions about Andy Murray over the past week, with the Scot absent as he recovers from hip surgery.

Murray has played a significant role in Edmund’s development, inviting him to training camps and playing a senior role in the Great Britain Davis Cup team.

However, with Murray out of action for the next few months, Edmund could replace him as British number one before he returns in the summer.

Edmund is getting used to the increased attention as the only British player left in the singles draws in Melbourne.

“I guess I get maybe more messages on social media and stuff,” he said.

“There’s obviously a bit more attention the more matches you win.

“I think that’s obviously encouraging, but in terms of messages from back home, it’s generally the same people that messaged me last year.

“It’s nice to have people close to you and that care about you and want you to do well.

Who is Kyle Edmund?

• Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1995 but moved to Yorkshire aged three.
• Turned pro in 2012 after a junior career that saw him win the Junior Davis Cup and the US Open and French Open doubles.
• Made his Wimbledon debut in 2013 but in five appearances has only won one match there.
• Was part of the Great Britain team that won the 2015 Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years.
• Reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the 2016 US Open.
• Yet to win a singles title, his career-high ranking came in October 2016 when he reached number 40.
• His first-round victory against 11th seed Anderson was his career-best victory.
• Now closing in on replacing injured Andy Murray as British number one.

Kyle Edmund powered into a first Grand Slam quarter-final with a four-set win over Italy’s Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open.

The British number two, ranked 49th, recovered from a slow start to win 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3 at Melbourne Park.

Edmund, 23, trailed by a set and a break but hit 25 aces and cut down on early errors as he went on to dominate.

He will face Australian Nick Kyrgios or Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the last eight on Tuesday.

Edmund joins Andy Murray as the only British men to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne since John Lloyd in 1985.

“Through to my first quarter-final – I am very happy,” said Edmund.

“It was a close first set and I didn’t feel I got the best start. He was hitting the ball very clean.

“In the second set I tried to shift the momentum and once I broke him in the last game of the second set I took control of the match.”

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‘Nothing really beats winning’

Two days after after a gruelling five-set contest in 40C heat, Edmund found the energy in much cooler conditions to see off the experienced Seppi and make a Grand Slam breakthrough.

The work done on his serve and return with new coach Freddie Rosengren, watching from the stands alongside Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, paid off handsomely.

“It shows I’m improving,” said Edmund, who finished with 63 winners to 40 unforced errors.

“It’s always good to see when results come, because that’s when it really shows it’s paying off.

“You can see you’re improving, but nothing really beats winning and results.”

Asked whether his early struggles were the result of a gruelling week that has included two five-set wins, Edmund said: “He just got off to a good start.

“Sometimes you don’t win every point and don’t win all the games you want to. There’s some problem-solving.

“It was still reasonably physically tough out there, but I did a good job of managing it.”

Edmund turns the tide

Both players were trying to reach the last eight at a major for the first time and it was Seppi, the world number 76, who looked the more likely in the early stages on Hisense Arena.

The 33-year-old was untroubled on serve and constantly pushing for the first break, deservedly taking the set in a tie-break with two sweeping backhand winners.

Edmund had treatment to his shoulder late in the first set and when he fell a break down early in the second set, his prospects looked bleak.

Instead it galvanised the Briton, who broke straight back with a forehand winner and began to assume control.

After 23 unforced errors in the first set he would make just six in the second and five in the third, gaining more control of his service games and starting to pick off winners.

By the fourth set he was teeing off at will on the Seppi second serve in particular, winning all but one of those points as the pressure on the Italian became overwhelming.

With a landmark victory in sight, Edmund simply grew stronger, forcing six break points before Seppi finally succumbed with a backhand into the net on the seventh.

An ace helped Edmund serve out in style after just short of three hours, taking his time on court over four rounds to 12 hours – making the next two days vital as he prepares for another defining contest on Tuesday.

Edmund reaching new heights – analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller at Melbourne Park

Both Edmund and Seppi played five sets in Friday’s furnace, and it was the British player who looked more jaded in the opening exchanges. Only his serve was keeping him in touch, but he still found himself a set and an early break down.

But from that point on, Edmund was hugely impressive. He dramatically reduced his error count and found reserves of energy to dial up his aggression. His impressive serve made a Seppi second wind seem increasingly unlikely.

A place in the quarter-finals will guarantee Edmund a career high ranking of around 35. But of more importance right now will be the chance to dine at the top table of men’s tennis as the 23-year-old savours a first ever Grand Slam quarter-final.

Where the match was won

The story so far

Edmund’s Grand Slam record

Who is Kyle Edmund?

• Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1995 but moved to Yorkshire aged three
• Nicknamed Kedders, his best shot is his forehand
• Turned pro in 2012 after a junior career that saw him win the Junior Davis Cup and the US Open and French Open doubles
• Made his Wimbledon debut in 2013 but in five appearances has only won one match there
• Was part of the Great Britain team that won the 2015 Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years
• Reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the 2016 US Open
• Yet to win a singles title, his career-high ranking came in October 2016 when he reached number 40
• His first-round victory against 11th seed Anderson was his career-best victory
• Closing in on replacing injured Andy Murray as British number one

Britain’s Jamie Murray earned a narrow victory with partner Latisha Chan in the opening round of the Australian Open mixed doubles competition.

The top seeds took the match 4-6 7-5 11-9 on a championship tie-break against Andreja Klepac and Rajeev Ram.

They will play Australians Storm Sanders and Marc Polmans in round two.

Murray is bidding for his third Grand Slam mixed title in a row after he won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2017 with Martina Hingis who has since retired.

The victory comes a day after Murray was knocked out of the second round of the men’s doubles competition with partner Bruno Soares.