There were the four break points that went unconverted in the opening game of the second set, and later three game points that would have brought him to 3-3 after getting back on serve. In the decider, Paul led 3-0 and came within two points of the finish line up 5-4, deuce. Machac refused to fold, hitting his spots at the service line when he needed most.
In the eventual tie-break, the 23-year-old hammered a backhand return up the line off Paul’s second serve to earn the first mini break. Ensuring he backed it up by closing a backhand drop volley, Machac eventually cracked two first serves to deny Paul any hope of controlling either point in seizing the win at the 2:34 mark.
“I just had to play much better in the second set. The third set was unbelievable from my side,” Machac told ATP Media afterwards. “It’s tough conditions, but for me it’s great. And cold.”
