It almost seemed unfair for the match to end on a double fault, but it was enough to guarantee Ash Barty a place in the Miami Open semis.
Barty and Petra Kvitova added another chapter to their growing rivalry on Wednesday (AEST), with the Australian prevailing in three tough sets 7-6 (6) 3-6 6-2.
It was Barty's first win over the two-time Wimbledon champion in five attempts, dating back to a French Open first round match seven years ago.
A rain delay halted proceedings during the first set, and as the duo played out the match after a long layoff that went deep into the night, the Miami crowd dwindled.
Barty's win also guarantees the 22-year-old entry into the world's top 10 for the first time in her career.
A career first Top 10 ranking for @ashbar96
— Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau) March 27, 2019
She will now face Anett Kontaveit in the Miami Open semi-finals on Friday.#MiamiOpen #WTA pic.twitter.com/k6BrMTsfnm
After the match resumed, Barty won the first set in a topsy-turvy tiebreak, before the Czech leftie powered back to take the match to a deciding set.
From there, it was all one-way traffic in the Aussie's corner as Kvitova lost her serve and Barty grabbed the break, eventually sealing the third set 6-2.
Barty won 76 per cent of points on her first serve versus Kvitova's 63, and in their third meeting in 2019, it was the Ipswich-born Aussie's night to shine.
Kvitova hit 38 winners to Barty's 18, but 46 errors to the Aussie's 24 ultimately cost the two-time Grand Slam winner the win.
Barty will meet Anett Kontaveit in the semis after the Estonian downed Hsieh Su-wei in three sets.
In a way, the win will help Barty banish the demons of losing twice to her good friend on home soil twice in a fortnight.
GOOD MATES: Kvitova and Barty prove it's more than a game
In January, Barty lost the Sydney International final to Kvitova after also being a set up.
However, gaining revenge for Kvitova's demolition job in Melbourne later that month will remain on Barty's mind for some time - and in sticky conditions in Miami, she played like both previous losses didn't matter.
"Petra's someone I respect most on tour, she's an absolute champion, a lovely girl and has always made time for me," Barty said after the match.
"I love and appreciate playing Petra every time, she is a real champion."
However, playing a mate has its upsides and its downsides - but a focused Barty knew what she needed to do to avoid a repeat of the Sydney meltdown.
"I knew I had to take her serve away from her as much as possible," Barty said.
"I knew if I could get into a lot of her service games, I could back myself in on serve.
"I knew exactly how I wanted to play the match, I just needed to get it back on my racquet as much as possible.
"Petra can take it away from you very quickly, so it was about getting into those first few points."
