Resilient Roger Federer showed there was still life in the 35-year-old's legs as he overhauled fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals.
After six months out of the game, Federer's fairy-tale return continued under the lights of Rod Laver Arena where he emphatically quashed doubts about his fitness in three hours and 24 minutes of high-octane tennis.
Having stormed into the match after a 90-minute demolition of Tomas Berdych, Federer showed his appetite for a grind, going toe-to-toe with the fleet-footed Japanese in a match littered with marathon points.