The Rod Laver Arena rocked to a Greek-Cypriot beat as the unseeded, unheralded and practically unknown Marcos Baghdatis extended his amazing run by reaching the Australian Open men's singles final.
At 11.50pm local time the stadium court erupted, particularly in the section populated by hundreds of Baghdatis' fans, decked out in blue and white and waving Greek flags.
The 20-year-old had achieved what before the match looked unlikely, and at two sets to love down seemed nigh-on impossible.
By beating fourth seed David Nalbandian 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in an epic contest, Baghdatis assured himself of a match-up with either Roger Federer or Nicolas Kiefer in Sunday's final.
"I have to wake up. It's just unbelievable," said Baghdatis, who reached the fourth round 12 months ago but has known no such success in Grand Slams elsewhere.
"It's a dream to play and win this tournament. I'm very proud of myself. It has been an amazing career for me, it's like a story.
"Everything is like the first time here for me. Getting to the quarter-finals was a first, and the semis, and now I hope it continues on Sunday night."
Considering Baghdatis has knocked out Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and now Nalbandian - the second, seventh and fourth seeds - even top seed Federer must be dreading taking on the fearless youngster.
His swelling ranks of supporters have been almost as integral to the tournament as Baghdatis himself.
Many are family, from the vast Greek-Cypriot population Down Under, and they roared him back from the brink against the one player who this fortnight has looked a credible threat to title favourite Federer.
Even taking into account his head-turning victories in the earlier rounds, it seemed folly to suggest Baghdatis would come back.
But the signs were there. He had made a contest of the second set, battling back from 5-1 to 5-5 before Nalbandian broke once more and, at the third attempt, held serve to establish his two-set led.
The pounding ground strokes were beginning to fire and find their range, and as his serving improved, so Nalbandian began to wobble.
The third set went his way and so too the fourth, with the raucous army of followers fuelling Baghdatis with increasing belief.
They have caused a stir in Melbourne this fortnight, with many paying spectators objecting to their presence, claiming their chanting had caused an atmosphere more suggestive of a football-match crowd.
But the boys' champion from three years ago has been inspired by their support, and even when Nalbandian broke early in the fifth set, he was unbowed.
In his previous match, Baghdatis had taken the first two sets from Ljubicic, before being pinned back to 2-2. However, he then took the decider with ease.
It looked as though Nalbandian might do the same as midnight approached, but a series of unforced errors on his own service games allowed Baghdatis to cancel out the break.
At 4-4, Nalbandian had his serve broken again, and suddenly the final was large in Baghdatis' sights.
He served. The first two points of the game were shared. And then. . . then came rain.
A heavy shower arrived at the most inopportune moment, and the players had to rush for cover, forcing a 20-minute delay.
Nalbandian had time to regroup, but when play resumed he had little time to put any revised plans into motion.
Baghdatis, in just his sixth Grand Slam as a senior, made sure the most important game of his career so far went his way, signing off with an ace.
Once the world's number one junior, Baghdatis came to Australia ranked 54th in the world, behind Britain's top two Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, but should make a massive leap next week, whether or not he caps an outstanding fortnight in the final.
Federer might already have his number, having beaten Baghdatis in straight sets at Doha in the first week of the year, and 12 months ago at this tournament.
But as Nalbandian learned, momentum could go a long way to deciding this year's champion.
