Former British No 1 Jeremy Bates claimed a classic 6-4, 7-4 (11-9) win over John McEnroe on Saturday night at the BlackRock Masters Tennis.
Neither player was there for anything but pride as both had lost their first two games of the event - but they served up some sensational tennis.
Bates was in outstanding form in the first set against a seemingly out-of-sorts McEnroe, as the Brit moved freely around the court and produced winners that his opponent had no answer to.
He eventually claimed the first set 6-4, but the American hit back to force a tie-break and take the second set 7-4, meaning a champions' tie-break to settle the contest.
It went all the way to 9-9 when McEnroe attempted a lob after a scintillating point - in the roar of the crowd he didn't hear the line judge's call of out and was furious when he realised he'd lost the point.
Bates then closed out the match with a fine return of serve down the line for 11-9 in the tie-break, bringing the crowd to their feet.
McEnroe suggested this would be his last year as a player at the Albert Hall, saying: "It's the most beautiful place to play, but this is the first time in 12 years I've had no wins at all ... and I think that's a pretty clear sign.
"It's time to leave it to the younger guys. Thanks for all the years it's been a great place to play."
But McEnroe then seemed to change his tune, admitting: "I hope I will be back. It's an unbelievable addiction. We were playing for pride tonight but the crowd could see we gave it one hundred per cent. Thanks for all the memories."
