ANDY Murray would have pulled out of the Australian Open had there been any doubts about the health of his father-in-law Nigel Sears.

Sears collapsed on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday while he watched Ana Ivanovic, whom he coaches, and was rushed straight to a Melbourne hospital.

Murray visited Sears twice, on Saturday night and Sunday morning, before the 58-year-old was released and given the all-clear to fly home.

The British number one recovered his focus to beat Australia’s Bernard Tomic 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7/4) yesterday but said he would not have played if the news on Sears had been less positive.

“It was tough, obviously it depended on Nigel’s health,” Murray said. “If the news was not positive then no, there was absolutely no chance I would have kept playing.

“It was a tough few days. It certainly wasn’t straightforward. I’m just glad that he’s on his way home now and can be back with his family.”

There was British success is the women’s competition as well as Johanna Konta became the first British female to reach the last eight of a grand slam since 1984 after she edged Ekaterina Makarova 4-6 6-4 8-6.

The victory marks Konta’s best-ever performance at a major tournament and means Britain have a quarter-finalist in the men’s and women’s draw for the first time since 1977.

Konta will now meet Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang in a battle of the underdogs for a place in the last four.

“This journey started when I was about eight years old, so we’re coming up to 18 years now,” Konta said.

“I’ve always said I do not believe in a kind of ‘light-switch’ moment. My journey has been the way it has been for a reason. That’s to accumulate the experiences that I’ve had.”