Mackenzie McDonald Upsets Taylor Fritz In Eastbourne | ATP Tour | Tennis

An all-Californian conflict on the English south coast went the way in which of Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday in Eastbourne, the place the World No. 64 downed high seed and defending champion Taylor Fritz on the Rothesay International.

McDonald recovered a break deficit in each units to clinch a 7-6(3), 7-6(8) second-round victory on the grass-court ATP 250. His two-hour, 21-minute upset of the World No. 9 Fritz was McDonald’s third in opposition to an opponent within the Prime 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, and his second of 2023 after he defeated then-World No. 2 Rafael Nadal at January’s Australian Open.

“It’s an enormous win for me,” mentioned McDonald in his on-court interview. “Taylor’s a detailed buddy, and it’s at all times powerful enjoying your pals. It was a battle on the market. I’m proud of how I competed and I believe I placed on a present right now, so it was actually enjoyable.”

The 28-year-old McDonald stayed cool below stress to triumph in his third Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly with Fritz, who lifted the trophy in Eastbourne in 2019 in addition to 2022. McDonald rallied from 2-5 within the first set and 2-4 within the second, and was pressured to avoid wasting two set factors within the second-set tie-break earlier than sealing his spot in his fourth ATP Tour quarter-final of the yr.

“[I was] somewhat bit [calm]but additionally pressured too,” mentioned McDonald, when requested about how he had retained his composure at tight moments in opposition to Fritz. “Tennis isn’t all enjoyable and video games generally, however I attempted to have extra of a relaxed mindset right now. I felt {that a} bit, and I believe that basically helped me.”

McDonald, who’s making his debut in Eastbourne this week, will tackle Mikael Ymer or residence favorite Liam Broady within the final eight.

Eighth seed Miomir Kecmanovic additionally rode out some powerful moments to ebook his quarter-final spot on Wednesday. The Serbian saved a set level within the first-set tie-break and reeled off 4 video games in a row from 2-4 within the second set for a 7-6(6), 6-4 win in opposition to qualifier Aleksandar Vukic. The World No. 41 Kecmanovic will tackle Gregoire Barrere subsequent, after the Frenchman upset fifth seed Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.