Former Wimbledon winner Lleyton Hewitt of Australia set up a titanic quarter-final struggle against reigning champion Roger Federer when he knocked out Spain's Carlos Moya 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) in a thrilling Centre Court clash on Monday.
Hewitt, the seventh seed and 2002 champion, was too powerful from all parts of the court as fifth-seeded Moya, never the most comfortable on grass courts, struggled to make an impression before mounting a powerful, late rally which the Australian batted to subdue.
"I expected a tough match against Carlos. Grass is not his favourite surface but he won one match on grass in the Davis Cup final in Melbourne last year so he knows how to play," said Hewitt.
"I'll look forward to the challenge of facing Federer but I will have to raise the level of may game. He is capable of playing exceptional tennis."
Moya, playing in the fourth round here for the first time in seven career visits, showed a sure touch on serve and at the net in the early exchanges but Hewitt soon found his range.
The Australian went to set point and wrapped up the opener in 38 minutes when he forced the Spaniard to scurry from side to side before unleashing a fierce, low forehand which Moya could only return wide.
{{/usCountry}}The Australian went to set point and wrapped up the opener in 38 minutes when he forced the Spaniard to scurry from side to side before unleashing a fierce, low forehand which Moya could only return wide.
{{/usCountry}}Hewitt then broke to lead 4-2 in the second set in extraordinary circumstances.
The Australian fell to the ground as he hit a backhand volley at the net but Moya, distracted by his opponent's tumble, hit a lob long and out.
Hewitt then consolidated his break with a love service game as Moya, playing his first tournament since making the quarter-finals of the French Open, went completely off the boil.
Hewitt went to set point in the eighth game with a blistering forehand pass and the clinched it 6-2 after just 63 minutes when a disheartened Moya hit wide.
Moya, who went into the tie enjoying a 5-4 career lead over the 23-year-old Adelaide native, rallied to break in the opening game before another drive fizzed past the Spaniard in the fourth as the score went to 2-2.
The fifth game was crucial as Moya squandered two break points to allow Hewitt to edge ahead 3-2 but to his credit he refused to be bowed and hit back in the ninth game to lead 5-4 and then served out for the set after 1hr 45mins.
The Spaniard was valiantly fighting, looking to take the tie into a decider.
He saved a match point in the tenth game of the fourth set which went to a tiebreaker where Moya cracked when he hit a lazy forehand wide with the court open.
Hewitt went to four match points when Moya netted a service return.
The Spaniard bravely saved one but then smacked a forehand into the net to hand Hewitt the match after 2hr 45min.