Roger Federer overcame a set deficit and came back to defeat 5th-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-3. The win coupled with the Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic losses has made the 17-time major champion a favorite to win the title.

The 35-year old showed no effects of tiredness after the nearly three-and-a-half-hour battle.

However, early in the match, it appeared that the outcome would favor Nishikori as he raced out to a 4-0 start in the first set.  But Federer fought back pushing the set to a tiebreak and though Nishikori would take the tiebreak, it was the Swiss who gained momentum in the second set. There, he would level the match at one set apiece. The effects carried into the third as the Japanese star never appeared comfortable as nerves appeared to set in. Federer would take the set with ease.

But in the fourth set, Nishikori found his footing again and regained any lost confidence. He would take advantage of a shaky game by the veteran, breaking serve to take a 3-2 advantage. He would serve out the set and even the match.

Despite the result of the fourth set, Nishikori received treatment on his legs prior to the fifth set.

As play resumed, it was Federer finding an opening in the second game of the fifth set and he would take advantage of a break opportunity. After gaining the service break, he would finish strong, riding his serve to the finish line.

“I felt great in the fifth (set), I must say,” Federer said. “Great energy. Even deep into the fourth, I thought, 'Yeah, fifth, here we go, no problem for me'.

On his prospects moving forward, the Swiss stated, “I'm feeling good about my chances. But tonight was special, no doubt about it. Going five against Kei here on Rod Laver Arena with the comeback, it's definitely very special.”

Federer will face Mischa Zverev, who upset Andy Murray earlier, in the quarterfinals.