Andy Murray shocked world No.7 Alex Zverev at the Western & Southern Open for his best win in rankings terms for nearly four years.
And the world No.134 also announced himself as a dark horse contender for next week's US Open.
The Scot saw off January's Australian Open semi-finalist 6-3 3-6 7-5 at Flushing Meadows in a rollercoaster encounter in two hours and 31 minutes
Not since he beat then world No.2 Novak Djokovic at The O2 in November 2016 – and before his two hip operations - has Murray triumphed against any player in the world's top eight.
He won the European Open in Antwerp last October by beating world No.18 Stan Wawrinka in the final.
Murray won his first ATP Tour match of the year in the first round against Frances Tiafoe.
Last night the three-time Major champion played superbly to win the first set in 49 minutes before the German hit back to claim the second.
Murray led 4-1 in the decisive third set before Zverev won four consecutive games to serve for the match at 5-4.
But the No.5 seed's serving woes then returned as he sent down three double faults as he served to win his first match since lockdown. And Murray then took his first match point with a stunning backhand return winner.
Amazon Prime pundit Tim Henman said: “It was an incredible performance. You never know what to expect. That third set was such a see-saw battle. Zverev's serve capitulated at the end but it shouldn't detract from Murray. It was vintage Murray in the end.”
He will next face Milos Raonic on Tuesday in a re-match of the 2016 Wimbledon final after the Canadian blew away Dan Evans won 6-3 7-5.
Raonic, who has not cut his hair since January, sent down 23 aces and won 33 of 37 points on first serve.
The British No. 1 said: “It was tough – I didn't stand much of a chance. I just move on – there is nothing wrong with my game really.”
Murray, who is now on an eight-match winning run extending back to last year, continued: “I thought the first two sets were pretty good. The third set was very scrappy once I went ahead.
“I don't think he played very well when we were close to the finishing line. Maybe a little bit to be expected when we haven't played any matches for such a long period. He didn't serve so well at the end which obviously helped me.
"I fought hard and it was a good effort to win that after not playing for a while. It was a long match. It was very, very hot at the beginning. I am just glad to get through.”
