After several code violations, plenty of animated discussion with the umpire and a smashed racket for good measure, Sam Groth has progressed to the third round of the Canberra Challenger.
Groth ousted no.2 seed Austrian Gerald Melzer 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 in a sweltering 36C at the Canberra Tennis Centre on Wednesday.
Sam Groth defeated Gerald Melzer in the second round of the Canberra Challanger on Wednesday. Credit:Jamila Toderas
The duo went at each other from the get-go but it was Melzer who gained the early ascendancy breaking Groth and taking the first set.
Groth, 29, looked out of sorts in the second and couldn't buy a first serve, but he hung tough with the world no.68 and broke against the run of play before serving out the set.
Strong winds were wreaking havoc at both ends in the third but it was Groth who attacked the second serve with more menace and was reward with a break at 5-4.
However, the world's fastest server failed close out the match as Melzer broke back and Groth's racket met its demise, earning the Victorian a code violation.
They say fortune favours the brave and Groth had no intention of leaving the capital wondering during a heavy-hitting tiebreaker.
Groth found the line more than once and let out an almighty roar when his one-handed cross court backhand winner sealed the match.
"It was tough conditions today [Wednesday], really gusty with the wind and not easy to control the ball but thankfully I managed to get over the line," Groth said.
"I felt like he had the momentum in the match until that last service game in the second set and then I felt like I really swung it around."
The win marks back-to-back come from behind victories for Groth who fought off a match point against world no.563 Vijay Prashanth on Monday.
"In both matches so far I've struggled a bit early but I feel like once I've gotten into the match I've played pretty well," he said.
"Ideally I'd like to find my spot in the match a little bit quicker than late in the second set, but I came in here unseeded so I don't think there is a lot of expectation on me.
"Maybe from the public because I'm the most known Aussie here with my Davis Cup history, but I've got nothing to lose because most of the guys left are ranked above me."
Groth now faces Israieli no.8 seed Dudi Sela for a spot in the semi-final and hopes to keep his temper in check.
"I try not to break too many rackets, it's not ideal but I had to let a bit of frustration out, it's better letting it out I think than carrying it and end up losing the match," he said.
Groth's frustration was ballboy Jay Tregeagle's gain with the 11-year-old receiving the broken piece of titanium after the match.
Eamonn Tiernan is a sports reporter with The Canberra Times