ATP Brisbane, Thompson’s feat: Nadal collapses after more than three hours
ATP Brisbane: Thompson-Nadal 5-7 7-6 6-3
Rafael Nadal's return to the court comes to a halt in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane ATP 250. The Spanish champion, in fact, collapsed only after three hours and 25 minutes of struggle against Australian Jordan Thompson, who won in a comeback with a score of 5-7 7-6 6-3 after nullifying as many as three match points to the Majorcan.
In the first set è Thompson to start better, scratching the break in the seventh game. Rafa's reaction forò è was immediate: the Spaniard signed the immediate counter break and ahead 6-5 snatched the serve again from the Australian, winning the first partial.
In the second partial, the serve holds sway until the tie-break, but not before Thompson cancels a match point for Nadal at 4-5. In the deciding game, the home favorite, down 4-6, strung together four consecutive points, canceling two more match points, and took the match to the third set.
With the momentum in his favor, Thompson got off to a strong start and came to take the break lead at the net, putting him up 3-1. Nadal looks more tired and è also forced a medical time out for a hip problem. The Australian can thus administer the lead and give himself an epic victory, which earns him a place in the semifinals, where he will face Grigor Dimitrov.
For Nadal, a positive return to competition in any case, which from Monday will make him gain more than 200 positions in the world ranking. The Spaniard will be back on the court at the Australian Open, starting Monday, Jan. 15.
