Relieved world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov survived a massive scare to beat American qualifier MacKenzie McDonald in five sets and reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday. Dimitrov, who is ranked only below Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, drew on all his experience to avoid his first defeat to a qualifier at a Grand Slam. But he has never been beyond the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, reaching the last four at Wimbledon in 2014 and in Melbourne last year. McDonald, 22, was making only his second appearance at a Grand Slam after his debut at the 2016 US Open. The American has a successful college tennis background, winning the 2016 NCAA singles and doubles titles before turning professional.

Source: Punch January 17, 2018 12:45 UTC