Johnson Mounts Heroic Comeback, Saving 6 M.P.

The first round of the 2016 US Open has provided many thrilling moments, but perhaps none more than by its home hopes on the new Grandstand court.

On Monday, it was John Isner rallying from two sets down to deny #NextGen star Frances Tiafoe. On Tuesday, Steve Johnson saved six match points in storming back from an 0-2 deficit of his own to defeat Evgeny Donskoy 4-6, 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-3 after three hours and 13 minutes.

“I have no idea what’s happening right now,” Johnson, No. 21 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, said after the match. “But I really felt the crowd was awesome. I had a blast winning and it’s something I’ll never forget. This is why you play; to get through these tough five-setters and move on.”

Johnson was serving down 2-5 0/40 in the third set, when the American rallied from the brink. Two return errors and a forehand unforced error from Donskoy, as well as a Johnson ace, saw the California native escape. But he was not out of the woods just yet, staring down the barrel of two more at 5-6. After Donskoy fired a return error, Johnson launched a backhand winner to save the sixth and final match point. From there, the reinvigorated American cruised to the finish line, claiming the set in a tie-break and dropping a combined six games in the fourth and fifth.

“I didn’t look so good for a while. At 2-5, I just found a way to hold. I got lucky and then we were back even. I have no idea how I got out of that game and just found a way to win those points. My mentally was that it’s not over. My goal walking out today was to win in three sets, but it doesn’t matter how it comes.

“After I finally broke, I started to play better and better. Then I won the third and I’m thinking that I’m in good control of the match even though I was down two sets. It doesn’t always come easy and it would be boring if it was that way.”

It was Johnson’s second comeback from two sets down in his career, following a victory over qualifier Laurent Lokoli at Roland Garros two years ago. In total, the former University of Southern California standout has won four five-set matches.

With the win, Johnson sets a blockbuster second round clash against 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro. It will be their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.