Before he can think about conquering past tormentors Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, Andy Murray has another sizeable obstacle in the semi-finals: Milos Raonic.
Raonic overpowered the mercurial Gael Monfils 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his second grand slam semi-final. 
Murray's quest for an Australian Open title has foundered four times in finals at the hands of either Djokovic or Federer. This time, he first must defuse one of the most potent weapons in tennis: the Raonic serve.
Raonic is the upstart among the usual suspects in last four at Melbourne Park, with Djokovic, Murray and Federer ranked 1-3 and carrying an aggregate of 29 major titles.
But Raonic's victory over Stan Wawrinka confirmed the Canadian's capabilities of beating anyone on a given day. The question has long been whether he can sustain that "any given" match level for long enough to pinch a grand slam title.
Raonic is far from a one dimensional player. His huge serve is backed up by a hefty forehand, his volleying has improved, his backhand is better than adequate.
If Murray v Raonic is less enticing than Djokovic v Federer, it still presents as an attractive match, since it has the contrast between all-court Murray, a great defender and returner of serve, against Milos the Monster.
In a power-laden indoor match that had relatively few break points or long rallies, Raonic's serve and greater reliability was enough to see him through on Wednesday night.
He broke serve only three times in the match - and this was more than sufficient. Monfils made little imprint on the bionic Raonic serve, which gave him many "free" points. Too many.
Raonic said Murray was a "great challenge" he believed he was capable of meeting. "I have it in myself to find a solution," said the Canadian, the first male of his nation to reach this major's semis.
Monfils simply did not do enough on return to put himself in the frame, though he did managed to take the second set against the run of play.
The Frenchman, who had opened in flamboyant style with a pair of aces, suffered his first, largely self-inflicted wound in the fourth game when a pair of double faults contributed to the match's first break of serve.
Monfils had only one break point in the first two sets. In the balance of play, he had always seemed behind - Raonic had more break opportunities (4) to this point, and less need to extricate himself from difficulties.
After the third set, there was little suspense. Monfils had only one further break point. The Raonic serve, comparable in potency if less precise than that of his former idol, Pete Sampras, was beyond the force of Gael.