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.

However, in the second set the 29-year-old Dubliner broke four times from five openings, compared to a two from four return by Koepfer, while in the decider, McGee broke twice from three opportunities with his opponent failing to break serve.

In the final round, the Castleknock man will take on unseeded American Robert Kelly, a 7-6 (8/6) 6-1 winner over Canada’s Alexis Galarneau.

ATP Challenger Tour, Cary, North Carolina, USA – Singles Qualifying second round:

(1) James McGee (Irl) bt Dominik Koepfer (Ger) 4-6 6-3 6-2; (2) Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Julian Bradley (Irl) 6-3 6-2.

ITF Men’s Futures, Mulhouse, France - Singles Qualifying final round:

(4) Dimitar Grabul (Mkd) bt (10) Daniel Glancy (Irl) 6-1 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/4).