Jannik Sinner brushed off concerns about his health with a brutal destruction of home hope Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
The two-time defending champion was in real trouble in his previous round against Holger Rune, taking a long medical timeout and visibly shaking, and admitted afterwards that he was not feeling well.
Hot conditions also played their part and, more than 48 hours on and with temperatures having dropped significantly, Sinner was back to his brilliant best in a 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory.
He said of his physical condition: "(Tuesday) was a very easy day, I played just half an hour, 40 minutes. I feel like, especially when you're young, you recover very fast. I really like to sleep so trying to rest in the best possible way.
"I have a very experienced team with me, which I'm very grateful and happy (for). I (realised) straight away that I'm ready for today. Let's see what's coming now in the semis."
This was arguably the biggest match of De Minaur's career, with the Australian through to the last eight here for the first time, but it proved to be a familiar story.
He had lost all nine previous matches against Sinner, winning just one set, and he could nothing to hurt the Italian, who next faces American Ben Shelton.
Sinner was simply better in all areas, his weight of shot too much for De Minaur.
A crowd who had arrived full of hope tried to lift their man but Sinner, who has now won all 16 matches he has contested against players at their home grand slam, was remorseless and wrapped up victory after only an hour and 48 minutes.
"I feel like today I was feeling everything," the 23-year-old said. "When you have days like this and you break early in each set, it makes it a bit easier.
"These kind of matches, they can go quickly but also they can change very fast if I go down with the level a little bit. I'm very happy with my performance today."
Earlier, Shelton battled to a four-set win over Lorenzo Sonego to reach his second grand slam semi-final.
The big-serving American made his breakthrough here two years ago with a run to the quarter-finals on his debut before bettering that at the US Open.
The draw at Melbourne Park has opened up for the 22-year-old and he has taken full advantage, with his latest triumph a 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (4) victory over unseeded Italian Sonego.
Sonego, ranked 55 and playing in his first slam quarter-final, attacked the net repeatedly and threatened to take the contest to a deciding set.
Shelton showed his desire during the fourth-set tie-break by hurling himself across the court in an effort to retrieve a volley. After lying sprawled by the advertising hoardings, he showed he was still fighting fit with a press-up.
And moments later Shelton was roaring with delight after booking a last-four spot.
"I feel relieved right now," the 21st seed said. "Shout out to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis. I'm really happy to be through, get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. It's one of my favourite matches of my career."
However, Shelton also took the Grand Slam's on-court interviewers to task for being "disrespectful" to players.
He was interviewed on court by Australian former Davis Cup player John Fitzgerald, who suggested no-one would be cheering the American in his semi-final - his match coming before the other quarter-final between defending champion Sinner and local hope De Minaur that would determine his next opponent.
On court, Shelton laughed off the comment and said home fans were welcome to boo him or "throw stuff at (his) head" if supporting De Minaur.
But he was scathing in his post-match press conference.
"I've been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters," Shelton told reporters.
"I don't think that the guy who mocked Novak (Djokovic), I don't think that was just a single event.
"I've noticed it with different people, not just myself."
Tennis Australia, the tournament's organisers, were contacted for comment.
Djokovic, who will face Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final on Friday, was annoyed by comments made by Australian broadcaster Tony Jones on TV, saying the Serb was "over-rated" and a "has-been".
Djokovic, declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones.
Shelton said he was also put off during his post-match interview after playing 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils in the fourth round.
"There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, 'Hey, (Gael) Monfils is old enough to be your dad. Maybe he is your dad,'" Shelton added.
"Or today on the court, 'Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?'
"I mean, it may be true, but I just don't think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life."
Shelton signed off by saying broadcasters should help grow the sport and help athletes who won matches on the biggest stage to enjoy one of their biggest moments.
"I feel like there's just been a lot of negativity. I think that's something that needs to change," he said.
Additional reporting: Reuters
