Mark Philippoussis takes on André Agassi for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals today after an amazing comeback from three career-threatening injuries.
Philippoussis had surgery three times on his left knee in 14 months after picking up the initial injury in the last eight at the All England Club in 1999.
The 26-year-old was told he would not play again as he spent several weeks in a wheelchair after the last operation, but has battled back to fitness. "It's not easy to stay positive," admitted Philippoussis, who had won the first set against Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals in 1999 when he suffered the initial injury.
"There are times, especially after the third surgery when they said I couldn't play, I was in a wheelchair, (you think) is it worth coming back?
"Is it going to happen again if I come back? Not only does it take a toll on you mentally, it's a mental battle more than anything. But I think that's what makes life a lot sweeter.
"It definitely makes my time on the court sweeter, especially after having some good victories." Philippoussis reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, losing a four-hour 11-minute match to former champion Richard Krajicek.
He has lost his last six matches against Agassi but the world number one is very wary of an opponent who served 33 aces during his third-round win over Radek Stepanek.
The contrast in styles between Agassi and Philippoussis makes it the most intriguing clash of the last 16.
Elsewhere favourite Andy Roddick looks set for a tough encounter with Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan.
