WATCH: Johnson celebrates Houston win with pool jump

Thomaz Bellucci had a fifth ATP World Tour title within his grasps. His opponent in the final of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, American Steve Johnson, was physically-compromised, clearly suffering from severe cramping in his left leg before serving at 5-5, 40-30 in the third set.

But then, Bellucci did the unthinkable. The Brazilian dumped the ensuing return—on a cupcake of a second serve no less—allowing Johnson the time he needed to save whatever energy he had left to eventually win a tiebreaker and with it, his second-career title, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5).

“To win on U.S. soil and win when you’re not feeling great is a testament to my willpower and competitiveness,” Johnson said. “My body has just physically run out of gas after this week. Coming in from Australia kind of put me behind the eight ball and then the nerves of trying to close out the final, a lot of factors go into cramping. I was very fortunate to get out of that.”

It looked like Johnson had nothing left to give, as Bellucci cruised through his service game at 5-6 in the third with the American barely being able to make a move for incoming serves.

But after wildly missing in the first shot of the tiebreaker, the world No. 29 stayed calm and managed to hang around in points until either Bellucci missed, or he had an opportunity to go after a forehand. The 27-year-old laced a forehand down the line to clinch the title.

“I can think things through even when times are tough,” Johnson said. “I knew I just had to take a few deep breaths and just get enough going in my body to last another five to 10 minutes out there.”

It was like déjà vu in the Houston final, as American Jack Sock cramped against Juan Monaco last year, but lost.

Johnson, however, with some help from Bellucci tightening up, was able to make it across the finish line just in time, earning the right to carry out one of the more fun traditions in tennis.

Not a bad way to cap off a victory.