Steve Johnson pulls off great escape in first-round win

American Steve Johnson saved half a dozen match points in the third set as he rallied from two sets down to reach the second round of the US Open on Tuesday

New York: American Steve Johnson saved half a dozen match points in the third set as he rallied from two sets down to reach the second round of the US Open on Tuesday.

Steve Johnson

The 19th seed, who won his first ATP title in Nottingham this year, trailed Russian Evgeny Donskoy 6-4, 6-1, 5-2 before he managed to turn things around for a 4-6, 1-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Asked how he pulled off the great escape, Johnson said, "The last three-and-a-half hours have been a little bit of a blur," he said. "I was ready to pack my bags and go home, and I just found a way to get out of that service game at 5-2.

"After winning the third, I just gave myself a shot. I just figured maybe my best stuff's not today, but I'll use my legs and run and just find a way."

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