Australian Matt Ebden has advanced to the second round of the Australian Open after victory over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.
The 26-year-old, now ranked 65th in the world, got the crucial break in the final set to win 6-3 7-5 4-6 0-6 6-3 in a match that lasted over three hours.
It was a case of third time lucky for Ebden, winning in five sets in front of a packed Show Court 2 following five set disappointments in his previous two Open campaigns.
Post match, Ebden reserved special praise for an emphatic Australian crowd.
“That was an incredible crowd. That was probably the best crowd I ever had, right through till the end,” he said.
“It was insane. The first five minutes, the warm-up, the Fanatics had everybody on their feet.
“The crowd really lifted me. They lifted my spirits. They gave me energy that I didn’t have. I think that was the difference for me.”
Ebden will now play 28th seeded Vasek Pospisil in the second round.