Germany's Rainer Schuettler reached the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time on Friday but only after a battle royal with experienced American Todd Martin.

It took the number nine seed three and a half hours of hard graft before he finally wore down Martin 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5 in a see-saw battle.

Schuettler, 27 who is enjoying the best year of his career after reaching the final of the Australian Open in January, refused to be denied against the 32-year-old Martin, who made light of his advanced years and lowly ranking of 102.

"It is a great feeling to be in the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time," a jubilant Schuettler said as he left number two court, known as Wimbledon's graveyard of the champions for its many shock results over the years.

"I always feel confident on grass and this just shows that I am playing better and better each year," said Schuettler, only the third German after Boris Becker and Michael Stitch to reach a grand slam final in the open era.

"That was a very close game and I am very pleased with the way it went. I played some good passing shots," he added.

In one of the most closely fought matches of Wimbledon 2003, the lanky American took the first set by putting on the pressure and getting the vital break in the ninth game.

After two early breaks either way in the second set, Schuettler upped the tempo to crack Martin's serve.

Schuettler threw his racket down in disgust when Martin raced to a 3-0 lead in the third set. Martin, twice a Wimbledon semi-finalist and making his 11th appearance at the tournament, easily won the tiebreak 7-1.

Schuettler levelled the match by steam-rollering a dispirited Martin 6-1 in a very one-sided fourth set.

The decider turned into a thriller with the pair slugging it out until 4-4 before there were three breaks of serve in a row.

But then Schuettler finally held his nerve and his serve to take the match and set up an intriguing fourth-round clash with Dutchman Sjeng Schalken.