Dutchman Robin Haase has knocked the first big seed out of the ASB Classic, beating four-time champion David Ferrer in three sets.
Unseeded Haase survived a scare in the first set to win through to the quarter-finals 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
Ferrer's exit followed the withdrawal of defending champion and top seed Roberto BautistaAgut with a stomach bug.
Coming up against his more experienced opponent, Haase, 29, held his composure at crucial moments in the match, especially during a tense third set tiebreak.
The Dutch journeyman pushed his own serve deep towards the lines before pouncing on a Ferrer serve during the tie break to cement the victory.
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"I went for my return at 5-3 in the breaker. "I thought 'OK, just try to finish it there'," he said
Despite former No.3 ranked player Ferrer being a crowd favourite in Auckland, Haase said he could also feel love from the Kiwi fans.
"They cheer for everyone. They also in the end, maybe love the underdog to win," he said.
Having netted almost $30 million in career prize money with his dogged and consistent style of play, Ferrer uncharacteristically battled unforced errors throughout the match.
"It was a close match," he said.
"My opponent here served really good."
"In the third set, I didn't have so many chances to break him."
Haase now meets Joao Sousa in the quarter-finals after the Portuguese player beat Britain's Brydan Klein in straight sets 6-3 6-4.
