Jordan Thompson survives the longest match in event historical past to progress to a fourth ATP-level semifinal this 12 months in Atlanta.
Atlanta, United States , 27 July 2024 | Vivienne Christie
Jordan Thompson will contest his fourth ATP-level singles semifinal this season after an epic win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on the Atlanta Open.
Thompson battled for 3 hours and three minutes to report the 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 victory, establishing a final-four exhibiting with Jerry Shang on the ATP 250 event.
It provides to a career-best season for Thompson, who peaked at world No.32 within the singles rankings quickly after profitable his first ATP singles crown at Los Cabos.
The 30-year-old Sydneysider was additionally a semifinalist at Brisbane and the distinguished Queen’s Membership grass-court event.
🎾⏱️ Historical past rewritten! With an exciting match lasting three hours and three minutes, Jordan Thompson and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina simply shattered the event’s report for the longest match. #AtlantaOpen | @atptour | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/vgN6NlByvp
— Atlanta Open 🎾 (@ATLOpenTennis) July 26, 2024
Amid blistering situations in Atlanta, the fourth-seeded Thompson relied on each a measure of willpower and his trademark athleticism to safe victory over Davidovich Fokina on his second match level.
His 40 winners have been precisely double the 20 amassed by the fifth-seeded Spaniard however Thompson was however made to work in each minute of the marathon encounter, with Davidovich Fokina saving 12 of the 14 break factors he confronted.
“I’m asking myself the identical factor,” mentioned Thompson with a smile, when requested how he’d ultimately pulled off the marathon victory within the testing warmth.
“I imply, it’s so scorching out right here, (we have been) taking part in lengthy gruelling rallies. Fortunately I did my pre-seasons fairly effectively after I was a child.”
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Having entered the event at world No.41, Thompson now sits at No.37 within the ATP dwell rankings and enters a second profession assembly towards Shang with the chance to avenge a loss to the 19-year-old within the first spherical of Indian Wells earlier this 12 months.
Additional motivation might come from Shang’s quarterfinal win over Max Purcell, with whom Thompson has additionally thrived in doubles this 12 months.
At Wimbledon, the Australian duo held three championship factors within the males’s doubles ultimate, with Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Brit Henry Patten claiming a come-from-behind victory.
Thompson, who showcased his velocity across the court docket and a few deft internet play towards Davidovich Fokina, believes doubles has contributed to his singles rise.
“That is the primary season that I’ve actually determined to provide doubles a crack. I feel it’s simply nice in your abilities in singles,” he associated in an on-court interview.
“It makes the court docket look greater while you’re returning, in order that’s undoubtedly a plus. And clearly you should volley in doubles, so it helps up at internet.”’
Purcell and Thompson have been quarterfinalists in Atlanta, with Swedish-Dutch duo Andre Goransson and Sem Verbeek advancing to the semifinals through a walkover.
It means the No.4 seed is absolutely centered on his semifinal task with Shang, a qualifier in Atlanta this week.
“Jerry is only a actually, actually good participant, left-hander, younger fella, and he’s arising,” mentioned Thompson.
“He appears like he’s acquired nothing to lose, and he’s taking part in that manner.”
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