"I was already out, no?"
It has been a case of almost already out for Feliciano Lopez at the Australian Open.
Not once, but four times in the opening two rounds he saved match points.
On Tuesday, it was on court six against Denis Kudla, who held a two-sets-to-one lead over the Spaniard and served for the match at 6-5 in the fifth.
The American got to 40-15 before framing a forehand. The next point, he sliced a backhand into the net. On the third match point, Lopez put away a simple volley.
In the 18th game of the fifth set, Lopez broke to love to advance.
On Thursday on Show Court 3, Lopez trailed fellow left-hander Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-4 4-0, with the Frenchman serving at 30-0.
In the ninth game of the third set, Mannarino had a match point. This time, Lopez produced a fine backhand cross-court pass that hit the line.
The set went to a tie-break, which Mannarino led 3-0 before Lopez recovered.
Lopez got out to a 4-0 fourth-set lead as Mannarino started cramping and then retired.
On Saturday, Lopez put Jerzy Janowicz away in straight sets to reach the last 16 at Melbourne Park for just the second time.
"It gives you the chance. It gives you the opportunity to play today because I was already out, no? With Mannarino and Kudla in the first round," Lopez said.
"Today when I was out there playing, I thought I have to be pleased for that opportunity, so try your best.
"I think today finally I play some of my best tennis. Losing with Kudla or Mannarino I wouldn't have the chance, so I feel very pleased."
With his doubles commitments included, Lopez has spent 11 hours 44 minutes on court in the first six days of the year's first grand slam.
But, ahead of facing Milos Raonic – who he is 2-2 against in their head-to-head and beat in Canada last year – Lopez said he was physically fine.
"I'm feeling good, no?" he said.
"I think, yeah, is true I have couple of tough matches.
"Today was also a tough one, but it was straight sets, which is really good for my fitness condition. I feel good. I feel ready to play the rest of the week."
From "already out" to still in, lucky Lopez has taken his chance.