Rafael Nadal suffered a serious blow upon his return to action after he was dumped out of the Brisbane International 2024 by home favourite Jordan Thompson. The Spaniard exited at the quarter-final stage, having previously beaten Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in the same competition. (More Tennis News)
Nadal is hoping to compete in the Australian Open 2024 later this month after staying out of action for almost a year due to injuries and recovery.
Momentum on his side, Nadal took the lead early in the match, winning the first set 7-5. Seemingly struggling with an injury thereon, the Spaniard huffed and puffed, attempting to put the game to bed, but met his match in the form of a revved-up Thompson, who saved three match points later in the second set.
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After a hard-fought battle, Thompson emerged victorious in the second set, winning 7(8)-6(6).
With the wind in his sails, the Australian then took Nadal to the cleaners in the third set, breaking the Spaniard early and then establishing an unassailable lead that he would see through till the end. Delighted with his effort, Thompson revealed the Brisbane crowd for their backing, pinpointing their support as a key reason for him saving the three match points.
“I completely forgot I saved match points. To beat Rafa in Brisbane in a QF," said Thompson. "I think it’s my first SF on a hard court as well; I couldn’t be happier.
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“If the fans weren’t here, I don’t think I would’ve saved match points. I would’ve been cooked for the rest of the match"
As Thompson prepares for his semi-final clash, Nadal will turn his attention toward the Australian Open. The Spaniard will be hoping that the injury scare he received during the match was nothing more than that, after spending almost the entirety of the previous year on the sidelines.
