Mark Philippoussis was left stranded by the weather in a frantic five set fight-back in his Wimbledon quarter-final against Alexander Popp.

Philippoussis looked like crashing out to the world No.198 when he lost the first two sets but came racing home after the third rain delay to lock the match at 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-3.

Scores were locked at 2-2 with Philippoussis 30-0 on serve in the fifth set when rain intervened for the fourth time and play was abandoned for the day just after 7.30pm (0430 AEST).

He had three chances to take a crucial break in the second game of the fifth set but Popp saved two of three break points with aces.

In the only other quarter-final to get on court, Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean was ahead 7-6 (10-8) 3-6 6-3 1-2 against local hope Tim Henman.

Philippoussis and Popp will resume on Court One on Thursday following the quarter-final between Andy Roddick and Jonas Bjorkman, while Grosjean and Henman will play after the women's semi-final between Serena Williams and Justine Henin-Hardenne on Centre Court.

The lengthy rain delays had opposite effects on Philippoussis' game.

He came out following an hour and 50 minute break with the scores at 1-1 in the first set and immediately dropped his serve and looked sluggish and out of sorts as he slumped to a two set deficit.

He worked his way back into the match in the third set and slowly regained some touch, breaking Popp in the sixth game to keep the contest alive.

But after returning from a two hour delay with Popp 1-0 up in the fourth set, a rejuvenated Philippoussis came out anxious to finish the match off before the weather closed in.

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