A pulsating contrast in styles, a rollercoaster-ride of a scoreline, and a bit of needle thrown in for good measure. Thomas Muster's 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 victory over Pat Cash had just about everything.

The Austrian earned his place in The Masters Tennis presented by Cunard semifinals the hard way, but loved every minute of it.

"It was a great match," said Muster. "Pat played really well, serving beautifully, coming in, and playing brilliantly at the net as we are used to from him. I just scrambled back, and continued to play well. I had a good start in the Champions Tie-Break and at the end it's always a toss of the coin and a bit of luck. I'm happy to be through to the semifinals."

Anyone who wonders just how seriously the players are taking this tournament should have been here to witness this match.

"No-one wants to lose," confirmed Muster.

"We're competitors who are playing for $100,000 winner-takes-all, so you want to be pumped up and you don't want to lose. I've had a great season and I want to continue that. I'm happy now and I want to take it all."

The Austrian, a former World No.1, will now meet Anders Jarryd. The Swede's fairytale run continued at the Royal Albert Hall as he defeated Richard Krajicek 6-4, 6-1.