ContinueRoger Federer was forced to overcome a rare injury in order to beat Xavier Malisse as he suffered from back spasms at the end of the first set in his fourth round clash against the veteran Belgian.
The Swiss ace took a eight minute delay to have treatment on his back in the first set and looked as though he was struggling to move properly as Malisse secured a break to lead 6-5.
However, Federer fought straight back and forced a tie-breaker, before eventually completing a 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory that sees him make it to the quarterfinal stage yet again.
Federer showed no signs of discomfort in the second set as he raced through it in just over 20 minutes, before Malisse fought back and secured an early break in the third that the world number three was unable to respond to.
Malisse secured another early break in the fourth set, but this time Federer was able to respond as he secured two breaks of serve of his own to eventually seal the victory.
"My back is OK, it started to feel better as the match went on," said Federer who has rarely suffered injuries in majors and will now face either Denis Istomin or Mikhail Youzhny.
"It come and goes. When you play on tour for over 15 years the back does hurt at times, you just hope it doesn't come in a big match. It was scary, but the treatment was a big help."
In the womens draw there was a major shock as world number one Maria Sharapova was beaten in straight sets by German Sabine Licki.
The Russian lost 6-4 6-3 to the 15th seed and Lisicki revealed afterwords just how pleased she was to secure a huge upset against the reigning French Open champion.
"It's unbelievable. I've beaten Maria Sharapova for the first time," Lisicki told BBC Sport. "I just went for my shots from the first point on.
"She is a fighter but I am a fighter too. I fought to the last point. The last game was tough but I fought it out. I'm getting better with each match. This is my favourite tournament. I love it here!"
There was also bad news for Kim Clijsters' fans as the former four time Grand Slam winner was knocked out to German Angelique Kerber 6-1 6-1 in her last visit to Wimbledon.
The Belgian is due to retire after the US Open and was no match for the eighth seed in what seems like her last visit to SW19.
