Rafael Nadal’s first singles match since returning from injury concluded in a thrilling quarterfinal loss to Australian Jordan Thompson on Friday at the Brisbane International.
The Spaniard, who was competing in his first singles event in over a year, took the opening set and had three match points in the second before Thompson mounted a remarkable comeback to win 5-7 7-6 6-3 in a tight contest. The match had lasted over three and a half hours when Thompson won an amazing 33-shot rally – the longest of the match – to secure a dramatic triumph, much to the delight of the home crowd who had stayed late into the evening.
Nadal was playing in his first quarterfinal since Wimbledon in 2022, and he had already played Thompson in a doubles match on Sunday. The 29-year-old also won that race, albeit Friday’s victory was significantly more difficult for both players. Thompson broke serve at 3-3 in the first set, but his lead quickly vanished as Nadal broke again – first in the next game, then when Thompson hammered a backhand into the net while trying to remain in the set at 6-5.
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The second set was just as close as the first, but as the match progressed, Nadal appeared to be getting closer to victory and a berth in the final four. He had a match point at 5-4 and added two more in the tie-break.
However, the former world number one was unable to cross the finish line, spraying a forehand wide while leading 6-4 in the tie-break, before Thompson claimed the next three points in amazing fashion, the highlight being a magnificent, lunging volley to go 7-6 ahead.Thompson was energized by the home crowd and broke serve to take a 3-1 lead in the fourth set.
Nadal, who struggled with injuries throughout 2023 and spent much of the year recovering from hip surgery, took a medical timeout shortly after, but he appeared unconcerned when he returned to the court. Thompson’s momentum was maintained to his advantage, and he completed his comeback when Nadal blasted a backhand long. He will now meet Grigor Dimitrov in the Brisbane International semifinals on Saturday, and the winner will face either Holger Rune or Roman Safiullin in the final.
“To beat Rafa in Brisbane, at home in a quarterfinal, and I think it’s my first semifinal on a hard court as well, so yeah, couldn’t be happier,” Thompson said during an on-court interview. Following a lengthy injury layoff, Nadal easily dispatched Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in his first two singles matches. At this month’s Australian Open, which begins on January 14, he will be attempting to win his 23rd grand slam title.
Frequently asked question
Who won between Nadal and Thompson?
Thompson celebrates gaining match point against Rafael Nadal, his first win over the Spaniard. “To beat Rafa in Brisbane, at home in a quarterfinal, and I think it’s my first semifinal on a hard court as well, so yeah, couldn’t be happier,” Thompson said during an on-court interview.
What did Nadal won?
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