WIMBLEDON, England -- Dutchman Richard Krajicek won a battle of the patched-up old warriors on Wednesday when he finally overcame Australian wild card Mark Philippoussis 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a struggle that stretched over two days.

"Suddenly I am in the quarterfinals and it is unbelievable," Krajicek said. "I would never have expected this. I had booked my holiday house for today. My wife is already at the holiday house. That shows the trust I had in my ability to reach the second week.".

The towering Dutchman, who plays Belgian Xavier Malisse in the last eight, had been out of tennis for 20 months after elbow surgery and it was a major surprise that his fitness had held out this far in the tournament.

For Philippoussis, broken in the first game of the final set, it was a bitter disappointment. He had been confined to a wheelchair after three knee operations that had put his professional career in doubt.

But he had been hoping that fairytales would come true twice in a row at Wimbledon -- Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon last year on a wild card.

"It was tough. What can you do?" he said afterward. "I have no doubt in my mind that I am going to win this tournament. I know I can get back. I have to hang in there and train hard. It will turn around for me. I know it will."

Also Wednesday, Tim Henman's quarterfinal against Andre Sa of Brazil was called for the day after the British player won the opening set 6-3.

Top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt's quarterfinal against Sjeng Schalken was postponed until Thursday.

Minutes before the scheduled start of play, Christopher Gorringe, chief executive of the All England Club, tried to be positive during a public address announcement.

"We have some room for optimism,'' he said. "Most of the light rain and drizzle is expected to gradually ease over the next hour or so -- before more rain comes in later.'' The crowds could only chuckle, but by late afternoon, it was no laughing matter.

Rain has affected play the past two years. Last year, the men's final won by Goran Ivanisevic was played a day late on Monday, while two years ago, the women's doubles final was also delayed by a day.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this report.