David Ferrer is 33 years old and seeded eighth but one of the form players at the Australian Open.

Ferrer, who confronts Andy Murray in a quarter-final on Wednesday, is the only man yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park.

The Spaniard’s opponents haven’t exactly been title contenders – Peter Gojowczyk, Lleyton Hewitt, Steve Johnson and John Isner.

However, a three-set demolition of the power-serving Isner in the fourth round was particularly impressive.

Isner had been in ominous touch, having topped the tournament’s ace leaderboard and failed to face a single break point.

Murray is of course a different proposition, having won their past five encounters including a 2015 French Open quarter-final.

“It’s going to be tough … he’s improved his game,” Ferrer said of the 2011 Open semi-final rematch.

“He’s playing more aggressive, he’s improved his forehand.

“I need to have a good day. Play aggressive.”

Ferrer has made the final four of every grand slam and this is his 14th consecutive Open campaign.

Since breaking into the top 10 in October 2010, his ranking has never dropped beyond 10.

Murray suggested that sort of consistency beyond 30 was an inspiration.

“The more players that do that, I think the more other players look at it and go … ‘you don’t have to retire when you’re 31 now or when you’re 32’,” the second seed said.

“As long as you still have the passion and dedication to work hard.”

Murray, who ended local hopes by dispatching Bernard Tomic in the fourth round, admitted he was “quite drained” by father-in-law Nigel Sears’ health scare.

“It’s been a tough few days,” Murray said after his straight-sets win over Tomic.

Murray’s wife is also expected to give birth soon but the four-times Open finalist is firmly fixated on Ferrer for now.

“He obviously works extremely hard. He’s in good shape. He fights so hard in every single match,” the Scot said.

2-ANDY MURRAY (Gbr) leads 8-DAVID FERRER (Esp) 12-6

Murray leads 3-1 at grand slams

2015 French Open, clay, QF, Murray 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 5-7 6-1

2012 Wimbledon, grass, QF, Murray 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

2012 French Open, clay, QF, Ferrer 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2

2011 Australian Open, hard, SF, Murray 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 7-6 (7-2)

ANDY MURRAY (Gbr)

Age: 28

Ranking: 2

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US42,435,316 (A$61 million)

Career titles: 35

Grand slam titles: 2

Career win-loss record: 552-165

Australian Open win-loss record: 43-10

Best Australian Open result: runner-up 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015

DAVID FERRER (Esp)

Age: 33

Ranking: 8

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US28,390,804 ($A40 million)

Career titles: 26

Grand slam titles: 0

Career win-loss record: 659-312

Australian Open win-loss record: 39-13

Best Australian Open result: semi-final 2011, 2013.