Dimitrov scrapes past qualifier McDonald in 5 sets
Michael Dodge / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov has scraped into the third round of the Australian Open - just - with a tough five-set win over 186th-ranked qualifier Mackenzie McDonald, a former U.S collegiate champion from Los Angeles.
Dimitrov beat the 22-year-old McDonald 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 8-6 in a late-night match at Rod Laver Arena that went nearly 3 1-2 hours.
McDonald double-faulted to set up match point, then netted a forehand to give Dimitrov the win.
McDonald won the NCAA singles and doubles title for UCLA in 2016. He had never won an ATP or Grand Slam singles match in four attempts until his victory in the first round over a fellow qualifier on Monday.
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