Belarusian veteran Victoria Azarenka has beaten Zhu Lin in an intriguing, see-sawing match at Rod Laver Arena, bringing the rising Chinese star’s giant-killing run to an end.

Azarenka served it out after a decisive break on Zhu’s serve at 4-4.

She saved two break points – and won five points in a row – to seal that final game

Azarenka, the 24th seed, will next play American Jessica Pegula, the tournament’s third seed. The pair are good friends and regular practice partners.

It will be Azarenka’s first grand slam quarter-final in six years and the first since returning to the tour after giving birth to her son, Leo, in December 2016.

“I don’t know where she (Zhu) comes from [in terms of her ranking], but with this tennis, she needs to be top 20,” Azarenka said on court afterwards.

“She is an amazing player and I wish her luck for the rest of the year.”

Zhu had beaten sixth seed Maria Sakkari in the last round.

Azarenka d. Zhu 4-6, 6-1, 6-4