Juan Martin del Potro confessed that he considered retiring in the darkest moments of what turned out to be a miracle 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 comeback over Dominic Thiem in the US Open fourth round.
But the 2009 champion at Flushing Meadows instead set up a rematch of his victorious final against Roger Federer as he played on through the effects of a fever which he first felt two days earlier.
"I was thinking to retire in the middle of the second set because I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move well. Dominic was dominating the match so easy," the Argentine said.
"But when we started the third set, I broke his serve very quickly and won the set in 20 minutes - the history changed a lot.
"I took all the energy from the fans. That's what I did in the end, just kept fighting. I didn't give up.I was ready to win the match from that moment."
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Del Potro, whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by wrist surgeries and rehab, now finds himself facing Federer yet again in New York, with the Swiss leading their series 15-5 while winning the last three matches - including Miami in March.
"Of course, I admire him, everybody loves him. Is going to be interesting match for play, after eight years again in the central court," Del Potro said.
"I know how to play if I want to win, but I will see how physically I feel after this battle. But always it's a pleasure to play the greatest guy on the history."
