Dominic Thiem produced a comeback for the ages to overhaul a fired-up Nick Kyrgios in a five-set classic at the Australian Open on Friday to send a baying crowd home in disappointment on the last night before a five-day lockdown in Melbourne.
In the bear-pit atmosphere of Kyrgios's favourite John Cain Arena, US Open champion Thiem dragged himself off the canvas to secure a thrilling 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over the Australian showman to reach the fourth round.
"That first match against Nick here on his favourite court with an amazing crowd, there are easier things to do," said the Austrian third seed, who sealed the victory with a majestic backhand winner down the line.
"Surely that's one of the toughest challenges in our sport.
"Tonight was epic and a good last match before the lock-down, it's really sad to say."
A cluster of Covid-19 cases in Melbourne means there will be no more crowds at the Australian Open for at least five days but the home crowd got their money's worth, if not the desired winner.
In fact the crowd were removed midway the fourth set of Novak Djokovic's battling win over American Taylor Fritz 7-6 (1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2, as Melbourne's new lockdown came into effect.
Defending champion Djokovic, seeking a ninth title in Melbourne, looked in command when he took the opening two sets but began to suffer with a side injury early in the third set.
He needed to leave Rod Laver Arena to have treatment and was grimacing in pain at times as the 23-year-old Fritz took advantage to take the next two sets.
But Djokovic, despite still looking in discomfort, did enough to win the deciding set and live to fight another day.
Russian Aslan Karatsev (pictured above) caused a major shock when he destroyed eighth seed Diego Schwartzman in straight sets.
The 27-year-old qualifier, ranked 114 in the world and playing at his first grand slam, stunned Argentinian ace Schwartzman 6-3 6-3 6-3 on the John Cain Arena.
Including qualifying Karatsev has now played six matches at the tournament and dropped only one set.
And he showed nerves of steel as he closed out the match of his life with an ace down the middle.
Karatsev suffered a serious knee injury in training in 2017 which kept him out for six months.
He was a member of Russia's triumphant ATP Cup team last week, as a doubles player, but did not play a live match due to the form of singles stars Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.
Karatsev said on court: "I had a big injury on my knee but after two years I recovered.
"The ATP Cup was great, we have unbelievable players in Daniil and Andrey, and it gave me a lot of confidence when we won."
