WATCH | Australian Open: Grigor Dimitrov knocks out Nick Kyrgios in epic thriller

Bulgarian third seed Grigor Dimitrov battled past local favourite Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) in three hours and 26 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals.

"Believe," Kyrgios told Dimitrov, who is yet to win a grand slam, as the pair met at the net following the match. Dimitrov takes on Briton Kyle Edmund next.

These are the moments that make our game great.

#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Ak2AWGdtyo

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Dimitrov kept his cool in the Rod Laver Arena maelstrom to knock home favourite Kyrgios. Third seed Dimitrov absorbed 76 winners and struck 64 of his own to edge a scintillating duel. 

Kyrgios fought until the end, breaking back when Dimitrov served for the match at 5-3 in the fourth set but Dimitrov booked a quarter-final spot in the night's third tiebreak when he fired a sublime forehand winner.

Defeat for Kyrgios means Australia's long wait for a men's champion at their home slam will extend to a 43rd year.

Dimitrov will play British player Kyle Edmund for a place in his second successive semi-final in Melbourne. 

It wouldn't be a @NickKyrgios game without a tweener...#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zoxaWKlPhR

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Bend it like B̶e̶c̶k̶h̶a̶m̶ #Kyrgios...#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3OCZTZk2ox

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

.@GrigorDimitrov takes a tense first set 7-6(3)! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/bhGPUsvhxs

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

A tight first set leaving @NickKyrgios trying to figure out how he can stop the number three seed... @Kia_Motors #KIATennis#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/grYrrYRu4B

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Tweener No. 2️ buried by @GrigorDimitrov #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/BxmUfNSbLY

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

BIG break for @NickKyrgios! The @RodLaverArena crowd is starting to make some noise. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/otic90Em7K

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

CLUTCH!@GrigorDimitrov seals yet another tiebreak 7-6(4)!

The bad news for #Kyrgios... the has never lost a match after being up two sets to love. His record 37-0 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ltreniLfy0

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Beautiful touch from @GrigorDimitrov #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/KdrmgFWC7j

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Some absolute tennis being played tonight from both players.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/KG6ifuvM9u

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

BREAK! @NickKyrgios with a crucial early advantage in the third set. Leads 3-2.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/U19R4bkY01

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Return to sender #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zbqa3j5xPo

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

HUGE!@NickKyrgios takes the third set 6-4!

We have a match on our hands... #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/I4MPYEAS2x

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

'Not bad'... @Kia_Motors #KiaTennis pic.twitter.com/XhbSoZ58wj

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

Anyone else nervous? #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jjOeEuAlvD

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

All rise as one...#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/84twPDvHDX

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

"Believe."@NickKyrgios' parting words to victor @GrigorDimitrov.

What a performance from both players. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qWcF0Yhn70

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018

"Step by step we're moving forward. Match by match we're building up." @GrigorDimitrov will face Kyle #Edmund in the QF.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/MTQ7AmbEOn

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2018