Going on history, it's an opportunity that wouldn't have transpired for either of the two quarter-finalists had Novak Djokovic not been been so sensationally removed from the top of the men's draw.

Monfils was initially seeded to face Djokovic in the fourth round on Sunday.

Given the Frenchman is none from 17 against the world No.1 in the most one-sided of rivalries spanning almost two decades, it's a fair bet Monfils would have been sent packing from the Open already.

Instead, the 35-year-old extended his hot summer run that has already yielded a title in Adelaide by at least another couple of days with a tough three-set fourth-round win over Djokovic's Serbian countryman Miomir Kecmanovic.

Yes, he's been a tad fortunate, with Djokovic's deportation, but a 10th grand slam quarter-final is nevertheless a worthy reward for tennis's most unfulfilled and unluckiest talent.

Monfils won three of the first four junior grand slam crowns in 2004 before Andy Murray denied him the calendar-year sweep at the US Open.

He's since spent his entire pro career in the shadows of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Murray.

"It's been a long journey for me and I'm quite happy, but it's not finished," Monfils said, clearly aware of the opportunity that awaits at Melbourne Park with no Djokovic or Federer and a potential semi-final with Nadal in the offing.

"I want to do better and I will try. We're not quite finished yet."

Berrettini, too, has his best chance yet to make the final four at Melbourne Park with no Djokovic standing in his way.

The world No.1 stopped Berrettini in three of the four slams last year - in the quarter-finals of the French and US Opens and in the Wimbledon title match.

All three matches went four sets, but the Italian came up short on each occasion.

The seventh seed won't say so publicly, but playing Monfils is a far more enticing prospect for Berrettini as he eyes a breakthrough slam.

Berrettini has beaten Monfils in both their previous meetings, 6-4 6-2 at Melbourne Park in last year's ATP Cup and in a five-set quarter-final thriller at the 2019 US Open.

"I have good memories when I played him last time in a quarter-finals in a slam," Berrettini said.

"So hopefully it's gonna be a good one too."

The winner will play either Nadal or Canadian 14th seed Denis Shapovalov in the semi-finals.

Australian Associated Press