Philippoussis is back to his best after major knee surgery Photos from the match

The Australian battled back from two sets down to beat Alexander Popp 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-3 8-6, in a match suspended three times by rain.

"This is Wimbledon and I have to give it my all," Philippoussis said after the match.

"It's tough out there, any slip-up can cost you the match, but I knew I had to take my chances."

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That was not the case in the first set as Popp, whose mother is English, survived four break points in a nervy opening service game.

The German then broke the Philippoussis serve and went on to close out the set with an ace.

Popp earned another decisive break in the fifth game of the second set, but Philippoussis roared back to take the third after finally breaking his opponent's serve.

The big-hitting Australian began to dominate the match, racing to take the fourth set 6-3.

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But Popp was not prepared to hand the match to his opponent when the game restarted on Court One.

Philippoussis had to rely on his big serve again to get him out of trouble in the eleventh game of the decisive fifth set.

Popp calmly delivered some accurate strokeplay while his passionate opponent was forced to dive at the net to hold at the third deuce.

Philippoussis survived more break points in the 13th game before some brave play in the 14th earnt him two match points.

The Australian, who shouted encouragement to himself throughout the game, took the first, gently rolling the ball over the net to move into the last four.