Grigor Dimitrov has set up a tantalising clash with Nick Kyrgios after outlasting Kyle Edmund to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals.
The world No.3 won an armwrestle with the young Brit, who suffered an injury scare before going down 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 on Friday night.
The Bulgarian will now battle Kyrgios on Saturday for the chance to defend his 2017 title at Pat Rafter Arena.
Dimitrov has won both of his previous encounters with Kyrgios, most recently in the final of the Cincinnati Masters last August.
He has already snuffed out one Australian hope in Brisbane, having survived two match points against John Millman in an epic second-round clash.
Edmund, the world No.50, proved another brave and plucky customer in a see-sawing contest that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours.
The 22-year-old has been left to carry the UK's hopes this summer after a hip problem dashed Andy Murray's hopes of playing in the Australian Open.
But it looked as though he might be joining Murray and a host of other tennis stars on the sidelines after twisting his right ankle in the third set.
Edmund went down crying in agony after what appeared to be an innocuous movement with Dimitrov serving at 4-4 in the third set.
Dimitrov was the first to come to his aid, leaping the net and sprinting over to help his opponent up and guide him to his chair.
Edmund had new strapping applied to his ankle but clearly wasn't moving freely when he returned and lost the next two games, the latter one off his own serve.
"At the end of the day, health above all," Dimitrov said on court after sealing the victory.
"It's very unfortunate what happened, for sure.
"I've seen this too many times, I know the feeling. I really hope he gets better.
"I knew the last two games he wasn't at his best so I just had to find a way again."
Edmund defeated Denis Shapovalov and rising Korean talent Hyeon Chung en route to the quarter final but still remains without a victory over a top 10 opponent, having now failed 14 times to do so.
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