Following Tim Henman's three set defeat earlier on Thursday by American Jan-Michael Gambill, Rusedski got the better of world number three, Australian Pat Rafter.

Rusedski believes a more subtle approach helped him through to the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 win.

Usually known for his all-powerful serve, he claims his game has improved this year because he has learned to think on his feet in unusual situations.

He said: "I find it difficult to serve with these balls this week.

"I have found it hard to hit aces so I just changed my game a little bit."

He showed a return to the pace and power that have taken him to number 13 in world rankings in the last set, serving for the match at 5-4.

A backhand from Australian Pat Rafter

Rusedski said: "It just seemed slower out there and with Pat, sometimes he likes the pace, so there was a bit more strategy and some not-so-good serving. But the game was all right."

After suffering from a cold all week, Rusedski now meets Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman on Friday night in the fourth round.

The Canadian-born left-hander won the first set on Thursday on a tie-break, but lost out in the second set decider as he and the Australian traded huge serves.

In the final set he broke Rafter's serve in the third game and moved 4-1 ahead before his opponent won the next two games to close the gap to 4-3.

But Rusedski held firm to stay with serve and overpwer Rafter, who beat him in the 1997 US Open final.

It was Rusedski's second consecutive victory over the Australian - he beat him two weeks ago in Vienna.

He said improving his record against Rafter was down to hard work.

"I think I have just worked on my game a lot," he said.

"I think the key today was my return of serve.