SM
Greece vs. England: 14 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Rafael Nadal misses three match points in thrilling Jordan Thompson defeat

:Headline: Rafael Nadal misses three match points in thrilling Jordan Thompson defeat:
Rafael Nadal misses three match points as his Brisbane International run ends in a captivating three-set loss to Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals.
Sports Mole

Rafael Nadal's comeback tournament at the Brisbane International ended in the quarter-finals as home favourite Jordan Thompson prevailed in an enthralling three-set battle.

The 22-time major winner was made to pay for missing three match points in the second set as Thompson came from behind to record a 5-7 7-6[6] 6-3 victory in three hours and 26 minutes.

Thompson hit a total of 44 winners throughout the contest - 12 more than his revered foe - while also committing just 14 unforced errors in an exceptional display, which also marked his maiden win over Nadal on the ATP Tour.

The Spaniard had triumphed in their first two meetings at the 2020 Paris Masters and 2022 French Open, although he was briefly on the back foot against Thompson, who earned the first break in the seventh game of the match.

However, Nadal fought back straight away and capitalised on a error-strewn service game from his Australian foe in the 12th game, breaking again to 15 to take the opener and putting pressure on Thompson's serve straight away in the second.

Thompson crucially saved three break points to hold for 2-2, but a trio of successive unforced errors handed Nadal his first opportunity to clinch a two-set win in the 10th game, which he squandered with a backhand volley into the net.

The 37-year-old attempted to consign that missed chance to history as he raced into a 3-0 tie-breaker lead before fashioning another two match points at 6-4, but Thompson miraculously saved both of them and forced the unlikeliest of third sets with a forehand smash right onto the baseline.

A fatigued Nadal had no answer to Thompson's remarkable grit in the decider, as the home favourite won four of the first five games before earning his first match point on another unforced error from Nadal.

During a phenomenal 33-shot rally - the longest point of the match - both players kept their focus despite the unwelcome distraction of two train horns, and Nadal eventually overcooked a backhand to send Thompson through to the semi-finals.

"That was something special. I think that train needed some WD-40 the whole match! I completely forgot I saved match points, but to beat Rafa at home, I think it's my first semi-final on hard court so couldn't be happier," the world number 55 said on the court.

Thompson will now square off with Bulgarian second seed Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the Brisbane final, where either top seed Holger Rune or Roman Safiullin will await the victor.

body check tags ::

amp_article__533030 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-01-05 23:06:53:
html db last update - 2024-01-05 23:06:53 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Rafael Nadal

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Andy Murray eliminated from Brisbane International by Grigor Dimitrov
"I don't really like it" - Kane hits out at England withdrawals
"There's always that link": Welbeck comments on Man United return speculation
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Lisandro Martinez facing extended spell on the sidelines?

1

LM

Cristiano Ronaldo's record vs. Poland

2

CR

Preview: Mozambique vs. Mali - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PM

Lee Carsley responds to mass injury withdrawals amid Harry Kane's criticisms

4

LC

Preview: Zimbabwe vs. Kenya - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PZ

Preview: Portugal vs. Poland - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PP

Preview: Uganda vs. South Africa - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PU

Preview: Uruguay vs. Colombia - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PU

Preview: Taylor Fritz vs. Alex de Minaur - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

9

PT

What all-time winning record could England equal against Greece?

10

WA


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .