Tennis:Ireland's James McGee claimed a nail-biting five-set victory over Egypt's Sherif Sabry in Cairo today to secure Group II status in the Davis Cup in 2013.
After play was suspended yesterday evening forcing the tie into a fourth day of play, McGee went into this morning’s unfinished match leading by two sets to one against the Egyptian number two.
Play was officially suspended on Sunday evening by the South African referee Iain Smith after he deemed the lighting at the venue to be unplayable.
In 40 degree heat this morning at the El Gezera Sporting Club, Sabry broke McGee to love in the eight game of the fourth set and went on to win 6-3.
That forced the tie into a decisive fifth set in the fifth rubber. McGee broke Sabry at 4-2 in the fifth set and at 5-2 he had a match point which the Egyptian saved and Sabry held his own serve to stay in the match at 5-3.
Sabry broke McGee at 5-4 and was serving to stay in the tie. McGee, who had two match points in the final game on Sabry’s serve, took the second match point to take the tie for Ireland on a scoreline of 6-2 5-7 7-5 3-6 6-4.
Full results
Rubber one:James McGee defeated Karim Maamoun 2-6 6-4 6-2 7-5
Rubber two:Sherif Sabry defeated Conor Niland 2-6 6-1 6-0 6-2
Rubber three:James McGee/Sam Barry defeated Karim Maamoun/Sherif Sabry 3-6 7-6 6-2 7-6
Rubber four:Karim Maamoun defeated Sam Barry 6-3 7-6 6-1 1-6 6-4
Rubber five:James McGee defeated Sherif Sabry 6-2 5-7 7-5 2-6 6-4