Feliciano Lopez took a break from his supporting role in Andy Murray's comeback to reach the final of the Fever-Tree Championships.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, Murray's doubles partner at Queen's Club, knocked out teenage sensation Felix Augur-Aliassime 6-7 (3) 6-3 6-4.
Amidst the buzz surrounding Murray's return from career-saving hip surgery, it was rather lost that Lopez is a handy singles player in his own right and actually won this title just two years ago.
Finalist Feli! 🇪🇸❤️ What a story. Our 2017 champion, a 37-year-old wildcard this year, is back in the final! He's come from a set down to beat Auger-Aliassime. #QueensTennis pic.twitter.com/XUTA4tBTXm — Fever-Tree Championships (@QueensTennis) June 22, 2019
That win was his last tournament success, and his ranking has since slipped to 113 meaning he needed a wild card to play this year.
But the wily campaigner had too much nous for up-and-coming Canadian Augur-Aliassime, who was aiming to become the youngest Queen's finalist since Boris Becker in 1985.
Instead Lopez has the chance to break his own record as the oldest winner.
He will face Gilles Simon, who came through another gruelling three-setter against Daniil Medvedev to book his place in the final.
Marathon Man! R1: 2h29mR2: 2h04m QF: 3h20m SF: 2h37m @GillesSimon84 outlasts Daniil Medvedev to reach the final. #QueensTennis pic.twitter.com/2xykAPiCvw — Fever-Tree Championships (@QueensTennis) June 22, 2019
The Frenchman has gone the distance in all four of his matches this week, including the longest match in the history of Queen's Club against Nicolas Mahut, a three hour 20 minute marathon, on Thursday.
The semi-final looked to be heading towards similar territory after a first set lasting more than an hour, won by Medvedev on a tie-break.
But it was Russian fourth seed Medvedev who began to falter and 34-year-old Simon ran out 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-3 winner in two hours and 37 minutes.
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