MELBOURNE, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- World number one Carlos Alcaraz defied a partisan crowd and extended the grand slam jinx of Alex de Minaur on Tuesday after a ruthless straight-sets victory in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

Local hopes were raised with an in-form De Minaur aiming to end Australia's 50-year men's singles title drought on home soil.

But for the seventh time in his career, De Minaur flamed out at the last eight of a major with an irrepressible Alcaraz romping to the finish line 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes.

The 22-year-old finished the match off with his fifth ace to continue a flawless campaign so far, where he has not dropped a set.

Alcaraz will next play world No.3 Alexander Zverev, who edged American Learner Tien in four sets.

"I'm really happy with the way I'm playing every match. I'm increasing my level," said Alcaraz, who reached the semifinals in Melbourne for the first time.

Alcaraz's customary sleeveless t-shirt was appropriate attire amid warm conditions with the roof opened at Rod Laver Arena as the temperature started to drop from its earlier peak of 43 degrees Celsius.

The Australian needed to make a fast start but found himself quickly down 0-3 before working his way back into the contest as Alcaraz cooled off.

But the Spaniard clinched a see-saw first set in the 12th game before screaming "vamos (come on)" to his support crew.

Alcaraz then stepped up his level across sets two and three to move another step closer to a seventh grand slam title. ■