Jordan Thompson rocks Rafael Nadal in massive upset

Jordan Thompson has pulled off a huge upset win over Rafael Nadal with the tennis icon making a concerning remark after the match.

Rafael Nadal of Spain was beaten by Jordan Thompson of Australia during day six of the 2024 Brisbane International at Queensland Tennis Centre. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Spanish great Rafael Nadal’s comeback to tennis came to an end when he lost a 3hr 25min marathon quarter-final to Australian Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International on Friday.

Thompson saved three match points in the second set before overcoming an increasingly fatigued Nadal 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in a gruelling encounter that finished just before midnight on Pat Rafter Arena.

Thompson booked a semi-final against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov with the win, while at the same time throwing a spanner in the works of Nadal’s Australian Open preparations.

Nadal said he had plenty of chances to win, but just couldn’t take them. “I think he played a good match. For me, it was not the best match, I had a lot of opportunities to win it,” he said.

“I need to accept that. After a year (of not playing), that’s normal.”

Playing his first tournament after almost 12 months away from the sport through injury, Nadal appeared headed for a straight sets win.

Rafael Nadal lost a 3hr 25min marathon match to Australian Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

But an inspired Thompson refused to go away and took advantage of some unforced errors from the Spaniard to clinch the second set.

Nadal, who was broken early in the third set, took a medical time out at 1-4 down after appearing to need treatment to his upper left thigh.

He was able to continue but was unable to break back and Thompson held on to the delight of the capacity crowd.

Nadal said he wouldn’t know how bad the injury was until the next day. “A lot of things can happen in a body like my body after a year without playing tennis,” he said. “So hopefully it is just a muscle that is supercharged.” Thompson said he was so wrapped up in the match he couldn’t remember a key moment.

“I completely forgot I saved match points,” Thompson said.

“To beat Rafa in Brisbane in a quarter-final, and I think it is now my first semi-final on a hard court, I couldn’t be happier.” Thompson will now play second seed Dimitrov after the Bulgarian’s 6-1, 6-4 victory over Australian Rinky Hijikata.

The second semi-final sees top seeded Dane Holger Rune up against Russian Roman Safiullin.

Rune looked in great touch as he downed Australian qualifier James Duckworth 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), while unseeded Safiullin beat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

Jordan Thompson of Australia celebrates winning his match against Rafael Nadal. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Nadal had gone into his quarter-final against Thompson in superb touch following relatively easy wins in his opening two rounds.

But Thompson, the world number 55, ensured that the Spaniard wouldn’t have it all his own way, returning well throughout to constantly pressure Nadal’s serve.

Despite losing his serve for the first time this tournament at 3-3 in the opener, Nadal was able to break Thompson twice to clinch a tight first set in 70 minutes.

Thompson threw everything at Nadal in the second set, playing some superb tennis, but the Spaniard was able to somehow absorb the pressure.

It looked like vintage Nadal as he turned the screws in the tiebreak, opening a 3-0 lead.

But Thompson came back to level at 3-3, then saved two match points at 6-4 down, clinching the set in 83 minutes.

Nadal began to look tired at the start of third set, in contrast to the Australian, and it came as no surprise when he was broken early in the third, with Thompson comfortably holding on.

Originally published as Jordan Thompson rocks Rafael Nadal in massive upset