Novak Djokovic wanted a challenge and American Donald Young duly provided one to assist the world No.4 in his Wimbledon build-up.
The rain may have wreaked havoc on the timetable at the Aegon International at Eastbourne but Djokovic's schedule has not been too badly affected.
He booked a place in the semi-final after an ideal work-out which required the saving of two set points in the second set.
Djokovic beat Young 6-2, 7-6(9) in an hour and 35 minutes and was full of smiles afterwards as he admitted: "It was a very close second set and I'm glad it went my way. This is exactly what I am looking for.
"Donald started playing with less unforced errors, putting more variety, using his forehand very well from all over the court. He served for the set, had a set point, had set point in the tie-break. It was very close second set. Obviously could have gone easily his way.
"I'm just glad the way I held my composure, my nerves. You know, this is the kind of match situations that I was looking forward to have, and I'm glad it happened today and I managed to overcome it. I felt good on the court."
The three-time Wimbledon champion, a wild card at Eastbourne, might have had a different view after the first set which he raced through in under half an hour.
Left-hander Young called a medical time-out after it and was given treatment on his back. Watched by his mother, the world No.47 raised his game but could not take advantage of his openings.
Djokovic finally converted his fourth match point to earn a semi-final showdown with Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 conqueror of Steve Johnson.
There is a lot of people thanking me for coming to Eastbourne. That's something I haven't really expected. I'm really grateful
Eastbourne has welcomed Djokovic with open arms this week and the reception has caught him by surprise.
"There is a lot of people thanking me for coming to Eastbourne. That's something I haven't really expected. I'm really grateful."
The other half of the draw sees an all-French semi-final and a battle of the marathon men. Gael Monfils beat Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2 in a held-over match and then dismissed the challenge of Bernard Tomic 7-6(4), 6-0 in just over an hour.
Monfils plays countryman Richard Gasquet, the No.7 seed, who dispatched Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 before seeing off John Isner 6-3, 6-2.
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