David Nalbandian has raised the stakes ahead of his clash with Lleyton Hewitt by denouncing the Australian's exuberant on-court celebrations as "not very good for the sport". The pair meet for a place in the semi-finals in the evening session (0830 GMT) on Wednesday, with home fans hoping for a Hewitt win on Australia Day.
But Nalbandian is determined to spoil their day - particularly after fellow Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela's spat with Hewitt in the third round.
Chela was fined after he became so incensed by Hewitt's actions, he spat in the Australian's direction.
Nalbandian said: "It's not easy when you have one guy behind the net doing that.
"If he won a point that's fine but when you do a mistake or something like that, that's the worst thing, I think."
Hewitt is into the last eight in Melbourne for the first time in his career and the pressure is on him to end a near 30-year wait for an Australian men's winner.
 |  To get through deep in the second week, it's a good feeling |
However, the third seed aggravated a hip injury in his marathon five-set win over Rafael Nadal in the previous round.
"I've been getting treatment on it every day," Hewitt said.
"I'm working through it and just taking it one match at a time, just making sure that it's fine for the next match and not looking too far ahead."
But he added: "I love coming and playing here. This is my ninth Australian Open in a row and to get through deep in the second week, it's a good feeling."
Hewitt easily defeated Nalbandian in the 2002 Wimbledon final, but the Argentine believes he is now in far better shape to test the former world number one.
"Right now I'm feeling more confident with my game. I'm older and have more experience in the five-set matches and grand slams," said the Argentine.
"It's going to be different for sure."
MMIX
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