Swiss qualifer Michael Lammer can hardly believe how the Heineken Open draw is opening up for him.
Having overcome three scrappy opponents just to make the Panasonic Singles main draw, he now finds himself in the quarterfinals, courtesy of an ankle injury to third-seeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Ferrero (29), ranked 23rd in the world, lasted less than four games and was already down a service break, when he went over on his right ankle. After receiving medical attention, he tried to continue, but could not.
"Of course, I am a little bit disappointed to get an injury in my first tournament and now I have some doubts about [the Australian Open," he said.
"The doctors say it's not to bad, but I have a lot of pain right now and it is very big."
After facing another qualifier - Brit Daniel Evans - in the first round, Lammer, ranked 209th, has now gone further than ever before in an ATP tournament.
"I've never won two matches in a row at a major event," he admitted. "So I've done really well and am now looking forward to playing tomorrow.
"Today, I had nothing to lose, and went out there to enjoy the atmosphere and playing against such a great player."
Lammer used to flat with world No1 Roger Federer and admitted he had already texted him with the result.
"Maybe he has too much to do with the children, but hopefully I will hear from him today."
Through a combination of qualifiers, wild cards and injuries, that quarter of the draw has opened up wide. Lammer now faces eight-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes (31st), who has a ripe opportunity to make the semis without facing anyone ranked in the world's top 200.
The pair have met once before - Montanes won 6-3 6-1 on clay in a Challenger tournament three years ago.
Ferrero was not the only Spanish seed to tumble in the second round.
Fourth seed Nicolas Almagro, wearing brace on an injured left wrist, lasted less than an hour before falling in straight sets to Frenchman Marc Gicquel (32), the oldest player in the main draw.
Earlier, Juan Monaco, the seventh seed, fell victim to big-serving American John Isner in a 2h 14m three-setter on the outside courts.
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