Kyle Edmund dumped big-serving 11th seed Kevin Anderson out in the first round of the Australian Open to claim what he described as one of his biggest ever triumphs.
The British number two rallied from two sets to one down to prevail 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 over the US Open finalist, who also led 2-0 in the decider before Edmund’s fightback.
It was sweet revenge for Edmund, 23, who lost to the 31-year-old South African in a similar five-set thriller at last year’s French Open.
And the man from Beverley believes the victory over one of the draw's big hitters classifies this as one of the best he has ever produced.
"I think so,” Edmund said when asked by the BBC if it was one of his career-best successes.
"In the circumstances, having lost to him in five sets last year, he made the final of the US Open on hard courts, and the way the match ebbed and flowed - it was really satisfying that I turned it around."
Edmund remained aggressive throughout and finished with 31 forehand winners, despite Anderson’s serving game seeing him amass 35 aces to Edmund’s 11.
"It's my game, it's what works best for me and I'm confident in it,” added Edmund, who reached the second round of last year’s competition in Melbourne before losing out to Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
"I don't play that way flipping a coin - this one might go in, it might not. I back myself and go for my shots.
"It's the way I've always approached it, and maybe I'm getting better at it as I get more experience."
Edmund will now face Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin on Wednesday after the 31-year-old beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in four sets. Sportsbeat 2018