Mark Philippoussis continued to defy his pre-Wimbledon form as he moved into the fourth round with a four-set win over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.

His next assignment is against fifth-seeded local hero Tim Henman.

Philippoussis came into the tournament after seven straight first-round losses but the All England Club has again brought the best out of the Australian who has now reached the fourth round here six years in a row.

On a rare People's Sunday at Wimbledon, a large and boisterous Australian contingent on Court Two cheered him to his 25th career win at the tournament, 6-4 6-1 6-7(7-4) 7-5.

But it could so easily have been over in three sets when Philippoussis blew five break points in the 11th game of the third and then a killer net-cord on his serve in the tie-break gave Gonzalez the crucial buffer.

Despite that blip, Philippoussis continues to improve with each match against better opponents and his first three rounds have traced a similar route to his run to last year's final.

After breaking his drought in the opening match with a straight sets win over Christophe Rochus, his experience on grass and powerful serve-volley game have revived his best form.

He battled well to come from behind to beat Martin Verkerk in four sets in the second round and fought well again against Gonzalez after losing the third set and looking shaky in the fourth.

The Australian broke in the final game of a tight first set, but then dominated the second but couldn't put away his chances in the third.

A late break in the fourth was all he needed to take the match.

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