Grigor Dimitrov is locked in a fifth-set battle with qualifier Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday night at the Australian Open. Dimitrov is level at 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6 in the second-round match on Rod Laver Arena.
McDonald was quick off the mark in set one, converting what would be his only break point in the third game. Losing just three points behind his first serve and playing without fear, the young American saved two break points in the eighth game before converting his third set point to lead the 2017 semi-finalist.
Order was soon to be restored in the second set however, as Dimitrov limited his opponent to just two winners, six times less than he had conceded in the opening set. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion broke in consecutive McDonald service games to close out the set and even the scoreboard.
The third set would once again see 22-year-old McDonald take an early lead. Dimitrov saved two break points with phenomenal defensive and attacking forehands at 2-2, but could not save a third, as his forehand was confirmed by Hawk Eye to have fired wide. The third seed battled back immediately in the next game with a stunning forehand passing shot to level the set once again at 3-3. In the tenth game, Dimitrov would capitalise on forehand errors before taking a two-sets-to-one lead with a forehand winner.
For the third time in four sets, Dimitrov would relinquish the initiative early. Double faults and forehand errors from Dimitrov would help McDonald, who won his first tour-level match on Monday, earn a stunning 6-0 fourth set to force a decider.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour http://ift.tt/2DbS872
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