Pat Rafter was pushed all the way before completing a 7-6(4), 7-6(1) victory in a thrilling final against John McEnroe at the ATP Champions Tour event in Delray Beach on Tuesday night.

Playing in his debut tournament on the Outback Champions Series, Rafter used his trademark serve and volley game on the hard courts of the Palmilla Tennis Club to dictate play and set up a possible final-round showdown with Pete Sampras, his top rival during his ATP career. Sampras will play Mats Wilander of Sweden in the tournament’s other semifinal on Saturday.