Dušan Lajović reaches Lexington Challenger round of 16

Dušan Lajović reached the Lexington Challenger round of 16 with a three-set victory over James McCabe. The Serbian won the first and third sets. McCabe took a close second set before Lajović recovered.

The match lasted more than two hours and tested Lajović's patience. He protected his service more effectively in the deciding set. Lloyd Harris is his next confirmed opponent.

Lajović established control in the first set

Lajović began with a clear service rhythm. He placed the first ball well and avoided long pressure games. One successful break gave him control of the opening set. McCabe tried to shorten points with direct returns. Lajović absorbed that pace and moved the Australian across the baseline. The Serbian took the set 6-3. The score came from a small number of decisive games. Lajović did not need to break serve repeatedly. He protected his own advantage after moving ahead.

His experience was visible during the closing service game. He used safer targets and waited for the correct attacking ball. McCabe could not create a late break chance. The opening set gave Lajović the lead without settling the match. McCabe responded with stronger serving in the second. The contest then became much closer.

McCabe forced a deciding set

The second set moved without a clear break between the players. Both men held serve through important pressure points. A tie-break became the fair result of that balance. McCabe played the sharper points in the tie-break. He levelled the match and forced Lajović into a third set. The momentum had changed without a large difference in play. Lajović needed to reset quickly. The lost tie-break could not be changed. His next service game offered the first chance to restore a normal rhythm.

Dušan Lajović prepares a backhand during the 2026 season.

The Serbian avoided a slow start to the decider. He kept the ball deep and made McCabe play extra shots. That patience reduced the Australian's easy attacking chances. A three-set Challenger match can become physically demanding. Heat and repeated service games add to the load. Both players continued competing deep into the contest.

The deciding set returned to Lajović

Lajović found the key break during the final set. He then held his own serve and kept the scoreboard advantage. McCabe remained close but could not recover. The Serbian closed the third set by the same 6-3 score as the first. That symmetry reflected his stronger play in the opening and final parts. The middle set remained McCabe's reward. Lajović's final games contained fewer rushed decisions. He used his forehand after creating space rather than attacking from a poor position. The approach protected his lead.

McCabe continued to challenge the return games. Lajović answered with accurate first serves and calm second shots. The match ended without another tie-break. The official score was 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. It gave Lajović a complete match and a place among the final sixteen players.

Lloyd Harris provides the next test

Lajović now faces Lloyd Harris. The South African brings a powerful serve and direct first-strike tennis. Lexington's hard courts support that style. Lajović showed patient baseline movement against McCabe. Harris brings a stronger serve and a more direct first shot. The Serbian entered the Challenger to collect matches and results. Reaching the round of 16 provides another opportunity. The tournament field remains strong enough to demand full focus.

Lajović has one win and one confirmed opponent in Lexington. The match against Harris decides the next place in the draw. The Lexington campaign therefore continues after a demanding opener. Lajović recovered from a lost tie-break and completed the decisive set with control.

The Challenger level offers important match time

Challenger tournaments sit below the ATP Tour but include many experienced professionals. Players use them to collect ranking points and regular matches. The fields often combine veterans with younger opponents. Lajović entered Lexington with years of top-level experience. McCabe brought a different career stage and a strong hard-court game. Their three-set match reflected that competitive depth.

A victory advances a player only one round. The next opponent may present a completely different style. Harris's serve creates that change for Lajović. The Challenger awards ranking points and prize money. Every point affects an official result. Lajović's recovery in the final set kept his campaign alive.

Hard courts change the shape of his points

Lajović is widely associated with clay-court tennis. Lexington uses a hard surface that gives more pace to the ball. Service and return positions become especially important. The Serbian has experience on that surface. His one-handed backhand redirects pace, while his forehand opens space across the court.

McCabe tested those skills for more than two hours. Lajović lost the closest set and won the other two clearly. That pattern showed enough stability after the setback. Harris will bring a larger first serve. Lajović's confirmed place in the round of 16 gives him the chance to answer that different problem.