World Number One Novak Djokovic faced the greatest test in French man Gilles Simon on his way to defending the Australian open title.
In a five set match that stretched over four and half hours and in which Djokovic committed over 100 unforced errors, he finally turned the gear in the final set, downing Simon, seeded 14th 6-3 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Both players embraced at the end of the gruelling match that must have served as a warning to the Serbian: that his days of dominance can be challenged.