Bernard Tomic is into the last 16 of the Australian Open thanks to a straight-sets win over John Millman.

But his next opponent Andy Murray had a traumatic night after his father-in-law collapsed at Rod Laver Arena.

Murray’s father-in-law is Nigel Sears, who is also the coach of Serbian star Ana Ivanovic.

Sears was taken from Melbourne Park in an ambulance, having fallen ill while watching Ivanovic’s third-round Australian Open match against Madison Keys.

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Sears, 58, was undergoing tests, but in good enough shape to ask for a TV so he could watch Ivanovic’s three-set loss to Keys.

Murray, whose wife Kim Sears has stayed home and is due to give birth in February, was initially oblivious to the situation.

The second seed only learned of Sears’ setback after beating Portugal’s Joao Sousa in four sets on Margaret Court Arena.

Nigel Sears is taken from Rod Laver Arena on a stretcher. Photo: Getty

“I just heard that Andy went direct to hospital. The good thing is he (Sears) is good, he’s conscious and speaking,” Sousa said.

“So we hope there’s nothing bad and of course family and health comes first.

“So it’s very good Andy went there to him.”

Murray has previously said he plans to put family first and leave Melbourne mid-tournament should Kim Sears go into premature labour.

Murray, Ivanovic and Keys all cancelled their post-match press conferences.

All three released written statements about their matches, but none referenced Sears’ collapse and hospitalisation.

“It was a tough match. I played so well,” Ivanovic said after losing 4-6 6-4 6-4.

Ivanovic was visibly concerned after the incident and showed immense mental strength to return to court, let alone threaten to take control of a topsy-turvy tussle.

Tomic our last male hope

Meanwhile, Tomic dispatched Millman in straight sets, setting up a fourth-round clash with Murray.

Tomic, the only Australian remaining in the men’s draw, was fully expected to account for world No.95 Millman on Rod Laver Arena.

Ana Ivanovic looks on as Sears receives treatment. Photo: Getty

That is how the match transpired, but Tomic’s 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 victory was no walk in Melbourne Park.

The tussle wrapped up at 12.33am on Sunday morning.

Part of that was a result of Sears’ health scare in the preceding match, which resulted in a delay of almost one hour.

Another part was Millman’s dogged determination in the highlight of his career, a grinding battle that lasted two hours and eight minutes.

“I’m not the best at long rallies … it was difficult at times. I had to rely on my serve and I felt like I served well tonight,” Tomic said courtside.

“I knew it was going to be tough … he was going to make a lot of balls.

“I had to change my game.”

What Millman lacked in power and aces he made up for in persistence and pace.

The greatest example was the second set, which lasted a tick under an hour.

John Millman did not go quietly. Photo: Getty

Millman was broken to love in the opening service game of the set but refused to go quietly.

The 26-year-old forced a tiebreaker, only for Tomic to take a 4-0 lead after a pair of aces.

Tomic was too consistent on court and dominant on serve in the match, sending down 20 aces in total.

The 23-year-old, who burst onto scene when he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2011, has lost all three of his previous clashes with Murray.

The most recent came in last year’s Davis Cup semi-final at Glasgow.

“I have to go out there believing I can win … and serve the way I’ve been serving,” Tomic said.

“I need to play the right tennis I’ve been playing the past month and really take it to him.

“It’s going to be an amazing match. He’s one of the best players in the world.”