WHAT HAPPENED: It was a thrilling US Open debut for Juan Ignacio Londero.
In his first-ever main-draw match in Flushing Meadows, the Argentinian-who said he was "happy for the match today" on-court after the victory-edged American Sam Querrey in four sets in the Grandstand, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 7-5.
After dropping the first set, Londero bounced back to beat the 2017 quarterfinalist in four sets, as he rallied from a break down in the fourth set to stave off a decider.
Previously, the world No. 56 had to hold off a comeback from Querrey, who saved a set point and won three straight games when facing a 5-3 deficit in the third set.
Nonetheless, Londero proved the steadier of the two players in the tiebreak, and though he was the one to trail 5-3 in the fourth, won four straight games to seal it.
Londero managed to withstand 24 aces and 45 winners from the American's racquet, as he managed to break five times in seven opportunities and recorded 10 aces and 49 winners of his own.
WHAT IT MEANS: The victory is the latest in a year of firsts for Londero, as he also reached the second week of a major for the first time with a fourth-round showing at the French Open; won his first ATP singles title in February; and reached a career-high ranking in July.
The next for him? The man ranked first: top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic awaits in the second round.
MATCH POINT: After scoring a big win in his debut, what would it take for Londero to score a shocker in his second match?
