Two match points down and standing on one leg, Australian rising star James McCabe recorded the biggest win of his career in s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Joining Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic as victors on Wednesday, McCabe rallied from a set down to defeat 2025 finalist and world No.40 Zizou Bergs 6-7(2) 6-2 7-6(4) in two hours and 36 minutes.
A slip on court, while down 3-2 in the final set, that required medical attention threatened to derail McCabe’s campaign. However, clutch serving from the 22-year-old not only saw him hold, but save two match points at 5-4, en route to his maiden ATP and top-50 victory.
“[My knee] just start [spasming], so I couldn’t stand on it … I’m just happy that I got over the top of it. It wasn’t cramping or anything, I think it just hyperextended and then just started shaking,” he said.
“I can’t really remember much about the match points, but I was just happy I got those two serves in when I really needed them. It was an amazing fight, it was a long match, rain delays and could have gone any way. Zizou went to the final here last year and he’s top 40 in the world, so I’m grateful just to get through today.”
With three straight wins under his belt after building on his successful qualifying campaign, McCabe will seek to keep his run going in his next match against Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.
Meanwhile, De Minaur, the 2024 champion, made a successful return to grass, defeating American qualifier Martin Dunn Jr to become the first player through to the men's quarterfinals.
> READ: De Minaur crowned champion in s-Hertogenbosch
In a challenging encounter that presented variable conditions, De Minaur prevailed in two tight sets, progressing 7-6(8) 7-5 after almost two hours.
“Everything [was a challenge]. I think it was a tough day, a little bit of wind, a little bit of rain and a very good opponent, a very tricky opponent,” the world No.6 said.
“I’m happy that I managed to sneak that win but it was a very, very tough match.
In the women’s draw, Tomljanovic made a statement in her opening match, requiring just 69 minutes to defeat hard-hitting Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The Australian No.5, a force on grass as a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist. dropped just four games in the 6-3 6-1 triumph, advancing to the final 16 where she will face Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska.
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