Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic has clawed his way to a fourth round berth, saving two match points to overcome Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco.
The sixth-seeded Croatian, who lost last year’s final to Roger Federer, triumphed 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in their Margaret Court Arena clash on Friday night.
Ferdasco shockingly double-faulted on his second match point and Cilic made the most of his good fortune, pounding a big forehand to steal the fourth set.
The serve will haunt 35-year-old Ferdasco, who fired down 27 aces and just five double faults for the match in an otherwise superb showing.
The 26th seed imploded, earning a code violation after pumping the ball into the crowd in disappointment.
Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, had his own challenges in the fifth when leading 4-2, offering up Verdasco three break points at 0-40 which he failed to convert.
“It was a definitely tough match,” Cilic said.
“My emotions were up and down when I was down two sets to love it was a big hill to climb.
“I stayed with my game, played positive, saved one or two match points and I played another great fifth set.”
Cilic’s round four meeting is with another Spaniard in Roberto Bautista Agut, who earlier accounted for Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets.