Jordan Thompson has booked a possible Wimbledon Centre Court assembly with defending champion Novak Djokovic after battling again from two units down towards higher-ranked American Brandon Nakashima.
On a moist and windy opening day in south-west London the battling Aussie clawed his means again after trying headed for an early exit barely an hour into the Championships.
Ultimately it was mid-afternoon when he sealed a 2-6 2-6 6-4 7-6 (4) 6-3 210-minute victory over world No.51 Nakashima.
Thompson, freshly shorn of his trademark beard and ‘tache, got here into the fortnight in good type. But Nakashima, ranked 20 locations larger, was a tricky first spherical opponent. He made the fourth spherical final yr the place he took Nick Kyrgios to 5 units.
The 21-year-old broke early to determine a 3-0 first set lead, breaking once more to take the opening stanza 6-2.
Watched by a rising band of Australians on court docket 9 Thompson responded by breaking instantly to take a 2-0 second set lead, however then misplaced six video games in a row, together with the set’s last eight factors.
When Nakashima prolonged his run of factors to 12 in succession it appeared all however over, but Thompson rallied in fashion, successful 4 of the subsequent 5 video games earlier than taking the set.
The 29-year-old Sydneysider went on to power a break level within the fourth set’s seventh sport however was unable to take it. Come the tie-break he seized the initiative, breaking twice earlier than successful the 61-minute set 7-4.
It was the fifth time Thompson had come again from two units right down to two-each in a grand slam. He had beforehand gained two, together with most just lately towards Lorenzo Sonego in New York final yr, and misplaced three.
The deciding set went with serve till Thompson compelled a break level to go 4-2 up. However, at that time, with mild rain falling, the chair umpire summoned the covers.
Ninety minutes later Nakashima served that time, and Thompson returned till his opponent put a forehand into the web.
Nakashima held to be 3-5 however Thompson served out efficiently, leaping for pleasure after successful on his first match level.
Meanwhile, over on Centre Court Djokovic, underneath the roof, was two units up towards Argentina’s Pedro Cachin making a primary ever assembly between the Serb and Thompson very doubtless.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
