James McGee fights back to reach final round of qualifying for ATP Challenger Tour

Ireland’s James McGee yesterday stormed back after a sluggish start to nail down a singles qualifying final round place on the USA ATP Challenger Tour.

After losing the first set, top seed McGee looked in trouble, but he upped his game to put German Dominik Koepfer to the sword on a 4-6 6-3 6-2 scoreline in the outdoor hardcourt in Cary, North Carolina.

With a world ranking of 257 compared to Koepfer’s 915, McGee may have underestimated his opponent, but he was jolted back to his senses by the German breaking serve three times from three opportunities in the opening set, while the Irishman could only manage a two from eight return.