Battling Andy Murray survived a scare to book his spot in the Wimbledon semi-finals on a dramatic day at the All England Club.
The British No 1 remains the favourite to reclaim the title he won in 2013 and will next face Tomas Berdych after the Czech cruised to victory over Lucas Pouille.
Murray held his nerve to win a tie-break in the first set and then produced fireworks in the second as he looked on course for a smooth passage into the next stage.
But he faded in the third, found himself edged out in the fourth and needed a fifth set to get the job done, much to the relief of Ivan Lendl and his team.
Lendl coached Murray to the crown three years ago and had been linked with Berdych before deciding not to pursue that avenue.
Lendl is of course back now with the Scot and it all adds a little bit of extra spice to Friday’s encounter, not that Berdych will let negative thoughts enter his head.
He said: “Yes, I mean, I approach Ivan when he stop with Andy first time.
“He basically says that he doesn't have the time and he don't want to be involved in tennis. Then he come back to Andy. So that's how it is.
“I think [Murray] also went through some changes or, yeah, different styles when he's playing.
“I think at the beginning, he was a bit more defensive, you know, playing a little bit more just waiting what's the opponent going to do.
“I think it was working pretty well for myself. I was able to really dictate the game and play aggressive.
“Now he becomes to be more aggressive, way more creative on the court.
“So, you know, he's also looking for the way how to improve, how to be better.
“I think that's the difference with him, I would say the beginning of his career and now.”
Meanwhile, Roger Federer came through an epic five-set thriller with Marin Cilic to reach the last four in one of the most epic clashes of these Championships.
The Swiss legend had to come from two sets down and save match points before powering over the line to clinch victory and set up a date with Milos Raonic.
Federer said: “It was an emotional win, always when you come back from two sets to love, but because of the season that I've had, it's wonderful.
“I was just very happy that I actually felt as strong as I did, you know, mentally and physically when I was down two sets to love.
“Whatever, those three breakpoints, after I fought them off, I did believe.
“Next thing you know, I was serving for the match in the fifth.
“Everything kind of went very quickly. Sometimes you feel when you're down two sets to love, the mountain to climb is huge, it's monstrous.
“Somehow everything went very quickly and I had great focus. I was very happy.”
