In a match that will go down in the history books, the unpredictable Fabio Fognini outlasted 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal to advance past the third round of the US Open.
Fognini would win 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a match lasting three hours and 46 minutes.
The Italian would roar back from a two-set deficit when he looked down and out. Nadal's perfect 148-0 record in Grand Slam matches when up two sets was broken.
With the win, the Italian reaches a career-best fourth round showing at the US Open. He will face 18th seed Feliciano Lopez who came off a straight-sets victory over 10th seeded Milos Raonic.
Entering Friday night's match, Nadal held a 5-2 head-to-head advabtage over Fognini. In the past year, though, Fognini got the better of the Spaniard twice and that would give him the belief that he could do it yet again - but this time when it would matter most.
The Italian would hit a blistering 70 winners and would show off his doubles skills while winning 39 of 54 net points. The eighth seed would hit 30 winners and convert a very efficient 19 of 22 points at the net. Fognini also played very well in the big points, winning nine of 16 break points compared to Nadal's eight. The two would trade breaks near the end of the match with no clear winner standing out yet.
Fight, determination as the will to compete were put on display by the two in this five-set classic.
Routine opening set for Nadal
Nadal, getting the match underway with some good serves, earned a rather effortless hold. In the next game, Nadal used his backhand wing to break Fognini, then would go up 3-0 with a hold of serve.
After a hold of serve from Fognini, Nadal served as though he was in target practice, going up 4-1. Fognini, though, would show fight with a strong hold to get it to 2-4.
Nadal then continued to dictate the first set, using his aggression to his benefit and going up 5-2. A deuce game was then played on Fognini's serve with the Italian focused in for the hold. The Spaniard was able to put the opening set to rest with his weapon of a forehand for a 6-3 finish.
Positive signs for Nadal
Fognini put his ability to redirect shots on diisplay in the opening game of the second set, hitting some remarkable down-the-line forehands to go up 1-0. Nadal then struck back with a quick hold, but Fognini followed to make it a 2-1 lead.
Nadal leveled the set to three each with strong, consistent play. In the ensuing game, Nadal got his chance to sink his teeth into the set via a break opportunity; his passive play would cost him as he squandered the opportunity and Fognini went up 4-3.
Although he was not in top form, Nadal's ability to stay in the set and fight was a positive sign. The Spaniard would complete the second set up 6-4.
Fognini strikes back
Following a Nadal hold of serve in the beginning of the third set, things were leveled up to one a piece. Fognini then put his unpredictability on display, hitting bad errors to help Nadal break, allowing him to go up 2-1. Nadal would consolidate the break with a solid service game for a 3-1 lead.
At this point, fans were expecting Nadal to win a routine straight set match - but Fognini would not be fooled. At 2-3, he would be involved in a bit of entertainment as he would engage with the umpire over a call. Finding new motivation, he reeled off three straight games with a new break of serve for a 4-3 lead in aggressive fashion.
Nadal would then get a quick hold to make it 4 each, before Fognini turned the jets on with blistering shot making and talented improvisations, going up 5-4. In a close Nadal service game, Fognini stayed strong and drew and error as Nadal missed a forehand.
The Italian won the third set, 6-4.
The show begins
The fourth set began with a shaky start for Fognini. The underdog produced two double faults, allowing the 14-time Grand Slam champ to break.
The next game would be followed up by a string of errors from the 32nd seed, and Nadal would consolidate the break for an important 2-0 lead.
Fognini then held to get on the board in the fourth set, 1-2. The break would be obtained to get things back even at two each. Fognini rode that momentum for a quick hold of serve to put him up 3-2. The Spaniard then raise his level to match his opponent's to make it 3-3.
Fognini stepped up, putting his ability on the big stage on display. He hit blistering backhands to reach a 4-3 lead, then grew his lead to 5-3 with remarkable control of both wings with stunning pace and shocking tactical variety.
The Italian closed out the fourth st with a great forehand down the line, winning it with a 6-3 finish.
Fognini victorious
The fifth set of this thriller would make this the match of the tournament thus far.
Nadal would hold for a 1-0 lead to get things underway. The 32nd seed then followed up with another round of amazing shots to tie it up at one a piece. The fiery Italian continued his impressive hitting to obtain a break of serve for a 2-1 lead.
The two-time US Open champ then showed his ability in the clutch with loads of energy in the next game. Hitting two down-the-line forehands for a break of serve, Nadal made it 2-2.
At 3-2 for Fognini, nerves became evident as he double faulted the game away to get the match level once again. Both players struggled to hold serve. The Italian wouldn't let that get him down, though, responding right away with another break of serve with a forehand down the line, leaving him pumped up.
Nadal didn't give up; he carried on fighting as he is known to. In a game of many deuces, drama, screaming fans and excited commentators, it seemed as if the pace was going a million miles per hour. The experienced Spaniard was forced to defend like crazy as his opponent would pound shots left and right. Nadal eventually got the break for another twist of events in this seemingly never-ending thriller.
In the end, the lesser-accomplished of the two was able to conceal his nerves and, behind three errors from Nadal, seal the third-round victory, winning the set 6-4 and earning one of the greatest victories of his long career.
How will Fognini fair in his next match? Will Rafa return even stronger?
This thriller left us with many questions, but one thing is for certain: this match was one for the history books.