Roger Federer has dropped his first set since June but the passage is clear for the resurgent Swiss to add yet another trophy to his glittering season.
Federer's 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory over David Ferrer thrust him into the Rogers Cup quarter-finals, where he is the highest remaining seed following the shock exit of Rafael Nadal.
Federer was sloppy from the start on centre court, sending routine forehands wide and providing the underdog Ferrer with early break opportunities in the ATP 1000 event in Montreal.
Ferrer capitalised by winning the first set to end Federer's streak of 32 consecutive sets won, a record that dates back to his loss to Tommy Haas at the Stuttgart Open on June 14.
Frustration boiled over for the Swiss in the second set after he misfired with an overhead smash.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Federer, who turned 36 this week, responded by hitting a ball into the stands, earning a scolding but no official ball abuse call from the umpire.
The outburst appeared to steady the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, whose serve and overall accuracy improved as the two-hour match progressed.
Ferrer has now lost all of his 17 contests against Federer, who is vying to take the world No.1 spot from injured Brit Andy Murray.
Next up for Federer is a quarter-final against 12th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils in a marathon match 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-2) on Thursday.
Unseeded Argentine Diego Schwartzman posted a strange win over American Jared Donaldson, advancing to a quarter-final meeting with Robin Haase with a 0-6 7-5 7-5 victory.
Haase upset seventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-1.
Kevin Anderson of South Africa downed American Sam Querrey 6-4 6-1 and will next play fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev, who ousted 16th seed Nick Kyrgios 6-4 6-3.
Nadal's 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4) loss to 18-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the late match not only delighted home fans, but also ensured Andy Murray would remain world No.1 for at least another week.
Nadal needed to reach the semi-finals to replace the injured Murray at the top of the rankings.
Instead Shapovalov progressed to a quarter-final meeting with France's Adrian Mannarino, who defeated Hyeon Chung of South Korea 6-3 6-3.
"It's what I dreamed of all my life growing up, playing guys like Rafa (Nadal), Roger (Federer), Andy (Murray)," Shapovalov said. "You know, my dream came true today."
Nadal was gracious in defeat.
"He played well," the Spaniard said. "He has a great potential.
"I wish him the best. He has everything to become a great player. He played with the right determination in the important moments."
