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American tennis player Mackenzie McDonald was "super happy" after surprising his childhood idol Kei Nishikori at the Citi Open in Washington. McDonald, ranked at No. 107 in the world, edged out former world No. 4 Nishikori 6-4 3-6 7-5 in the Washington semifinal.
McDonald will be fighting rising Italian star Jannik Sinner for the Washington title. “I’m super happy with my level right now and how I’m playing. I think I’m staying focussed throughout these matches which is really key, and something I don’t think I could have done a couple of years ago,” McDonald said in an on-court interview, per the ATP website.
“I’m super excited to be in a final, my first one. And here in the States, in D.C., it’s something special”.
McDonald edged out Nishikori
Nishikori saved two break points in the opening game of the match but also failed to convert a break point in the second game.
McDonald then earned his first break of the match in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Nishikori saved two break points in the fifth game to avoid going down by a double break, before breaking back McDonald in the sixth game.
However, McDonald kept his focus as he broke Nishikori again in the seventh game and then held on to his serve the rest of the way to win the opener. After losing the second set, Nishikori made a positive start to the second set as he took an early 2-0 lead.
But McDonald wish responded with back-to-back breaks to take a 3-2 lead. After dropping games in back-to-games and falling down by a break, Nishikori responded with back-to-back breaks on his own to win the second set and force a decider.
After winning the second set, Nishikori had a chance to continue his run at the beginning of the third set but he failed to convert any of his two break points in the opening game. Nishikori also failed to convert a break point in the ninth game, before losing his serve in the 12th game.