Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev edged out world number one Jannik Sinner in a five-set battle to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second successive year.
A strange match full of momentum shifts and lulls was absorbing rather than thrilling but Medvedev did not care as he triumphed 6-7(7) 6-4 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 on a covered Centre Court.
It snapped Medvedev’s five-match losing sequence to Sinner and avenged his bitter defeat by the Italian in this year’s Australian Open final when he squandered a two-set lead.
Medvedev, who is bidding to add to his 2021 US Open title, will face either defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or American Tommy Paul in his ninth Grand Slam semi-final.
In the women’s competition, Donna Vekic finds herself in a first Grand Slam semi-final on her 43rd main draw appearance after the seasoned Croatian ended Lula Sun’s run with a 5-7 6-4 6-1 win.
The 28-year-old, who struggled for form and fitness following knee surgery three years ago, burst into tears after beating the 123rd-ranked qualifier to book a clash with seventh seed Jasmine Paolini or 19th seed Emma Navarro for a place in Saturday’s final.
“Those couple of years were tough,” said Vekic, reflecting on the period after her surgery.
“Now, reaching my best result ever at a Grand Slam, I’m really proud of myself, of the work that I’ve done, of the work that my team has done.
“I’m thankful to them for believing in me when I didn’t.”