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IT followed the script to the letter except for the shock ending that saw reigning champion Novak Djokovic dumped from the Australian Open.
Taking his place in the semi-finals will be No.8 seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who gained sweet revenge for a heartbreaking loss 12 months earlier by taking down his nemisis in another five-set, four-hour epic 2-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 9-7.
It was the third consecutive time at a Grand Slam the pair have played five sets, with last year's the fourth longest match in Australian Open history - it went five hours and two minutes - which Djokovic won 12-10 in the decider.
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Wawrinka ended that match in tears but last night you couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he contemplated a semi-final match-up against Czech Tomas Berdych.
The Swiss said a different mindset this year carried him past the world No.2.
"Last year I didn't finish it and it was really tough. But this year I came back, it's a new year and I was feeling really good," Wawrinka said.
"I tried everything, he's an amazing champion. I'm really, really, really, really happy."
The final set lasted 79 minutes with Djokovic blowing an easy volley to end his extraordinary winning run at the tournament.
The man who his Swiss teammate Roger Federer calls "The Stanimal" lived up to his nickname by fighting back from a break down early in the fifth set to pull out the win of his career.
Novak Djokovic stretches for a shot early in his quarter-final against Stan Wawrinka. Source: AFP
Wawrinka, 28, hadn't beaten Djokovic since2006 and had lost their previous 14 meetings, four of those last year, which included another five-set marathon in the semi-finals of the US Open.
The loss ended Djokovic's stunning run at Melbourne Park - his previous loss dated back to the 2010 quarter finals.
"He served extremely well from the beginning to the end," Djokovic said. "Every time he was in trouble, he was coming up with big serves.
"You know, he took his opportunities and he deserved this win today. I congratulate him absolutely.
"There is nothing I can say. I gave it my best. I gave it all. I tried to, you know, come out as the winner. I tried to fight till the last point as I did in a very similar match we did last year fourth round, same court, but it wasn't to be this time."
On his missed volley on match point, Djokovic said: "Look, I can say I was lucky with some shots last year in our match. This time it was him that had luck a little bit on 30-all, this mishit return. Then an easy volley for me on a match point.
"But this is sport. You know, I mean, he showed his mental strength and he deserved to win."
He said Wawrinka now understood what it took to win a Grand Slam.
"He's in great form and in the last 15 months he's had the best results. He's established now in top 10 and he's been winning against top players in big tournaments.
"He won against (Andy) Murray in US Open last year so he knows how to play now on the big stage. You could feel that with his game. He's really taking to the opponent and stepping in.
"When you're playing like this, only thing I can say is congratulations."
Last night's result also opens up the tournament, given the three-time champion was a short-priced favourite to win again given the easy draw he'd been handed compared to his three main rivals.
Djokovic was seen as a lock for the final given Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all had to face each other just to get there.
Wawrinka's star has been on the rise over the past 12 months and he finished inside the top 10 for the first time at season's end.
Stanislas Wawrinka gestures to his supporters during his win over Novak Djokovic. Source: AP
There was a sense he was closing the gap with the top end but early doors last night the script wasn't followed, with Djokovic clearly on top in the opening set, which he won comfortably in a tick over half an hour.
He seemed to be cruising in the second set until the third game when there was the first sign that Wawrinka was starting to lift his rating.
Djokovic was forced to save three break points as the pressure valve lifted and the whole feel of the match changed.
Wawrinka's serve and beautiful one-handed backhand were finding their mark and his aggressive approach rattled the reigning champion, who was broken in the seventh game and then conceded his first set for the tournament.
It clearly rattled him and rather than fight his way out, Djokovic surprisingly went into his shell, which played into the hands of his opponent, who smelt blood.
Two breaks of serve in the opening five games saw Wawrinka race to a 4-1 lead and shortly after he'd secured a two sets to one advantage.
Novak Djokovic has his chances against Stanislas Wawrinka. Source: AFP
The most damning stat for the No.2 seed was his lack of winners with just 17 compared to Wawrinka's 27.
Normal programming returned in the fourth set with the tension increasing with every point and eventually it was Wawrinka who blinked first when serving at 3-4.
After winning the opening three points, he stumbled and Djokovic seized the opening with a couple of incredible returns to get the break.
But in keeping with theme of the night the champion's attempt to serve out the set was full of drama. He was forced to save two break points before a booming ace clinched it after 49 incredible minutes.
There were more twists and turns in the fifth set, with Djokovic gaining the first break of serve at 2-1 only to then hand back the advantage in the next game.
The match had everything, including a rain delay an the most extraordinary time with Wawrinka serving at 40-15 at 5-5.
After five minutes on the sidelines the players returned with Wawrinka serving an ace to gain the crucial advantage, which he held to ruin the script after an unbelievable 79-minute fifth set.
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