Rising Austrian star Dominic Thiem has overcome a sore shoulder and a tough challenge from Frenchman Benoir Paire to advance to the round of 16 at the Australian Open for the first time.
The eighth-seeded Thiem raced through the first set in 23 minutes on Saturday and looked on course for an easy win, only for the unseeded Paire to regroup and level the match at one set apiece.
The final set was a rollercoaster, with Thiem and Paire combining for seven service breaks before the Austrian gained the upper hand to win 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-4.
"It doesn't happen often in men's tennis that you get broken three times and still win the set," said the 23-year-old Thiem.
"It was pretty crazy and unusual."
Thiem twice required medical treatment on his right shoulder during the fourth set.
"I'm hitting the ball quite hard, so it's normal that there are some parts of the body hurting," he said.
"It's no serious issue.
"I have the best physio and he will fix it."
Thiem's opponent in the round of 16 on Monday will be the familiar figure of No.11 seed David Goffin, who belted towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Goffin and Thiem have squared off seven times in the past three years, with the Belgian boasting a 4-3 winning record, including in the third round at Melbourne Park in 2016.
"We are really good friends," said Thiem.
"We've already had some very important and good matches in the past and I hope it's going to be another one.
"Both of us have good chances to reach the quarters."
