Roger Federer rode out an early storm before bouncing Czech Tomas Berdych out of the Australian Open fourth round with an heroic comeback from two sets to love down on Sunday.
Berdych had it all his own way in the first sets, with the Swiss second seed and 13-time Grand Slam champion making all the errors. But Federer pulled his game together to survive 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, dpa reported.
It was Federer's first comeback from that margin since beating Rafael Nadal in the 2005 Miami after trailing. It was his fourth career recovery from the depths.
The Swiss also preserved a Grand Slam quarter-final run dating back five years.
In the fourth set and down a break, the frustrated Berdych needed on-court treatment for a left thigh complaint, a sure sign that his body as well as his mind was starting to fade.
Federer's only loss to Berdych from nine matches came at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.