Lleyton Hewitt fought back from the brink to overcome David Nalbandian in five gripping sets and power into the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The Australian third seed, bidding to become the first home winner of the national open for almost three decades, eliminated the ninth-seeded Argentine in a tense 1hr 41min fifth-set struggle with a service break in the 17th game.
Hewitt produced one of his greatest fighting performances to overcome Nalbandian, 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 3-6, 10-8 in 4hrs 05min and will now play American second seed Andy Roddick in Friday's semi-final.
Earlier Roddick spent only 1hr 35min on court as his opponent Nikolay Davydenko retired with breathing problems in the stifling heat during the third set with the American leading 6-3, 7-5, 4-1 at the time the Russian called a halt.
Top seed Roger Federer and fourth seed Marat Safin play off in the other men's semi-final on Thursday.
It was the first time Hewitt had reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in nine attempts as he bids to become the first home winner of the national open since Mark Edmondson's triumph in 1976.