LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Steve Johnson of The United States plays a backhand in his Men's Singles second round match against Alex de Minaur of Australia during Day four of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England.

Johnson tops de Minaur in back-and-forth 5-setter at Wimbledon

7 years ago
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) Steve Johnson of the United States won for the first time in five tries against a top-30 opponent at Wimbledon, getting past No. 25 seed Alex de Minaur of Australia 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the third round.

Johnson, who is ranked 71st, had lost his past nine matches anywhere against men inside the ATP's top 30.

How close was this one? Johnson won fewer total points, 150-149, earned fewer service breaks, 3-2, and made nearly twice as many unforced errors, 45-25.

But Johnson broke de Minaur, who is ranked 29th, in the next-to-last game, then served out the victory, which ended when Johnson's down-the-line forehand drew a long backhand on a 22-stroke exchange.

Johnson's best Grand Slam showing was a fourth-round run at the All England Club in 2016, which ended with a loss to Roger Federer.

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