Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal's return to competitive tennis concluded in a thrilling quarter-final match against Australian Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International, ending in an exhausting 3-hour and 25-minute marathon.
The encounter, which culminated just before midnight on Pat Rafter Arena, witnessed Thompson prevailing over an increasingly weary Nadal with a score of 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, reported AFP.
Thompson's hard-fought victory not only secured him a semi-final spot against Grigor Dimitrov but also disrupted Nadal's preparations for the Australian Open. Despite ample opportunities, Nadal expressed his regret, acknowledging, "I had a lot of opportunities to win it." Reflecting on his long absence from the sport due to injury, Nadal accepted that the outcome was normal after a year away from tennis.
Initially on course for a straight sets victory, Nadal's dominance was interrupted when Thompson, spurred by resilience, saved match points in the second set tiebreak. Nadal faced a setback after being broken early in the third set, eventually requiring a medical timeout at 1-4 due to a perceived upper left thigh issue. Though he resumed play, he couldn't reverse the momentum, allowing Thompson to claim the victory to the crowd's delight.
Post-match, Nadal expressed uncertainty about the severity of his injury, hoping it was a minor muscular issue, typical after such an extended hiatus.
Meanwhile, Thompson reflected on his historic win, admitting that amidst the intensity of the match, he momentarily forgot about saving match points. His triumph against Nadal set the stage for an intense semi-final clash against Dimitrov.
In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka showcased her prowess, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a convincing straight-sets win against Daria Kasatkina. Sabalenka, reigning Australian Open champion, maintained her winning streak on Australian soil, setting up a semi-final battle against compatriot Victoria Azarenka.
Azarenka faced a grueling 2-hour 30-minute match against Jelena Ostapenko, securing a hard-earned victory. Elena Rybakina also advanced to the semis following Anastasia Potapova's withdrawal due to a stomach issue. Rybakina will face Linda Noskova in the next round after Noskova's win over Mirra Andreeva.