Andy Murray will play Roger Federer for the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, and he cannot take the smile off his face.
The 25-year-old was roared on to a stunning 7-5 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the men's singles on Centre Court to set up a rematch of last month's Wimbledon final.
Murray wept as he soaked up the adoration of the crowd and then leapt into the air in celebration of one of his finest wins and finest performances, which guarantees him at least a silver medal.
The Scot said: "The atmosphere was unbelievable, different to anything I've played in before and I've played in some big matches. Night matches at the US Open everybody says is the best atmosphere but it's not even close to what it was today.
"It's one of the biggest matches of my career, one of the biggest wins of my career and one of the most emotional. I was so, so happy to win.
"You don't see me smiling that much but I haven't stopped smiling since I came off the court. Even afterwards, all the volunteers were so pumped, so happy, all the people around outside, it's just so different to what we normally experience in tennis.
"I think in terms of just enjoyment, it's probably the most fun I've had at a tennis tournament."
It was the day the Olympic tennis tournament really came alive, with Murray's victory coming in the gloaming because of Federer's titanic 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 19-17 win over Juan Martin Del Potro earlier in the day.
The world number one will present a formidable obstacle in the final, of course, particularly with the format changing to best of five sets.
There would be a certain irony if Murray were to win a title on Centre Court that was not Wimbledon, having spent so long trying to break his grand slam duck, but it would definitely not be second best for the Scot.
He said: "Before this tournament I would have said within tennis winning a grand slam is the most important thing you can do in your career, but within sport a gold medal is the pinnacle and, after what I experienced tonight, it would be right up there with anything else I could achieve in tennis.
"I don't know how I would feel if I won gold but I know that winning a silver medal feels really good and losing a grand slam final feels terrible."
Murray has never beaten Djokovic at a grand slam but he has a decent record against him in best-of-three-set tennis and is more comfortable on the grass than the Serb.
The home favourite came out firing, playing aggressive and high-quality tennis, and he got his reward in the 12th game with a curling forehand pass that gave him the first break and the set.
The second set was tense and tight, with Djokovic now the aggressor but unable to break through.
Four times the second seed had break points but every time Murray held firm, the crowd getting ever louder, and the biggest roar came when he turned the tables in the 12th game, forcing three match points and taking the first with a backhand that was simply too good.
Murray said: "In the first set I played really well, I hit the ball really well. It was windy conditions. The second set there weren't so many great points but I served well when I was down.
"He had a lot of break points but I hung tough and then just managed to get the break in the end. He made mistakes in the last game but the conditions were very tricky."
Djokovic will now fight for a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal, and he hailed Murray as a worthy winner.
The world number two said: "He played better in the important moments. He served extremely well, used that element in his game efficiently when he needed to.
"I had a lot of break balls in the second set. Practically every service game I had a chance in the second set to make a break, especially the one at 5-5. It's a disappointing loss. But he deserves to be in the final."
Murray had been due to play his mixed doubles quarter-final with Laura Robson against Australian pair Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur as well on Friday but the delayed schedule meant that was postponed until Saturday.
The match will be played on Centre at midday, with the winners facing German pair Christopher Kas and Sabine Lisicki in the semi-finals later in the day.
