Blake is swept away by Gonzalez in Australia

James Blake had another Grand Slam disappointment, losing in the fourth round to Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets at the Australian Open today.

The 27-year-old Blake has never gone beyond the quarterfinals in 20 majors but came into the season’s first Grand Slam tournament confident of improving on that after defending his title at the Sydney International.

Instead, it was Gonzalez advancing to the quarterfinals -- 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (4) -- for the first time in Melbourne. He got himself out of trouble with aces when he had to, and regularly ripped forehand winners to keep Blake on the baseline.

Gonzalez, a 26-year-old Chilean, had a little trouble closing, wasting two match points on Blake’s serve and then getting broken himself when serving for the match.

But he dominated the tiebreaker, getting two mini breaks before closing with an ace, his 18th.

Elsewhere, Tommy Haas ended eighth-seeded David Nalbandian’s endurance run, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win. On Sunday, defending champion Roger Federer stayed on track for a 10th Grand Slam with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win over 14th-seeded Novak Djokovic.

On the women’s side, Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters set up their second straight Australian Open quarterfinal showdown.

Hingis, who swept the 1997-99 titles and reached the finals the next three years before quitting the tour because of nagging foot and ankle problems, weathered an early challenge from Li Na before winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Clijsters, in her final season on the tour, beat No. 15 Daniela Hantuchova, 6-1, 7-5. Last year in the quarterfinals, Clijsters ended Hingis’ first run at a major after three seasons in retirement, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

“It’s always a pleasure to play her again here,” Clijsters said. “She’s just a great champion.”

Also on the women’s side, Ana Chakvetadze rolled to a 6-4, 6-1 win over No. 8 Patty Schnyder and will play the winner of the match involving top-seeded Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva.

On Sunday, Serena Williams moved on to the quarterfinals after a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 11 Jelena Jankovic.