(Reuters) - Croatian young gun Borna Coric battled back from 4-2 down in the third set to fell world number nine Kevin Anderson 2-6 6-4 7-6(3) and advance to the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas (PA:BNPP) Open at Indian Wells on Thursday.
The upset victory in the California desert means the 21-year-old will play in his first Masters 1000 semi-final against either top seed Roger Federer or South Koean Chung Hyeon, who face off later on Thursday.
The unseeded Coric initially looked out-gunned by the big-serving South African, who had won all three of their previous meetings without dropping a set.
After weathering an onslaught of huge serves from Anderson in the first set, however, a scrappy Coric was able to force longer rallies in the second and third, where his speed and accuracy allowed him to control points.
The match appeared all but over when a frustrated Coric double faulted to hand Anderson a break for the 4-2 lead in the decisive third set but the world number 49 broke straight back and went on to force a tie-breaker.
Anderson played a mistake-riddled breaker and Coric pumped his fist in triumph after the seventh seed sent a forehand long to hand the Croatian the biggest win of his career.