Lleyton Hewitt's quest for a maiden Australian Open title has survived a titanic five-set struggle with Marcos Baghdatis at Melbourne Park.
Hewitt and his Cypriot opponent walked off court at 4.34am on Sunday morning after the Australian triumphed 4-6 7-5 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena.
In a match that lasted 4 hours and 45 minutes and swung ferociously throughout, Hewitt secured a round-of-16 final berth against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
The Australian could have wrapped it up earlier as he stormed to a 5-1 advantage with two breaks of serve in the match's penultimate set, but tightened up, losing his next two games on serve.
Baghdatis, who had fought back gamely from a rolled ankle in the third set of the match, threw caution to the wind, forcing his way back in the contest with a series of cheeky backhand drop shots and precision forehands.
He took the tense tiebreak 7-4 to force a deciding fifth set to the amazement of himself and the stunned patrons who braved the latest finish in Open history to witness Hewitt's memorable victory.
Hewitt fell to his knees and collapsed onto the famous centre court surface after an exhausting and emotional contest.
The two-time grand slam winner then warmly embraced his vanquished foe at the net, before soaking up the thunderous reception.
Baghdatis, who wiped away tears as he headed up the tunnel, said he was proud of his performance but shattered by the defeat.
