Australian Open 2022: Sydney wildcard Chris O’Connell refuses to blame injury on defeat to American Maxime Cressy

Chris O’Connell ended the Australian Open with an injury concern but was still thrilled with his career-best performance

Sydney wildcard Chris O’Connell will determine the extent of an injury he suffered at the start of his third-round Australian Open defeat before figuring out his next move.

O’Connell pulled up sore after chasing down a drop shot in the sixth game of the match and immediately called for the trainer before conceding a second break of serve soon after.

But the 27-year-old revealed after his 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-2 loss to American serve-volleyer Maxime Cressy that he actually hurt himself on the first point of the contest.

O’Connell, who was unsure if the problem was to his right hip flexor or high in his quadriceps, refused to blame the injury.

“I think I was pretty nervous and sort of stumbled wide to a forehand and I felt something,” he said.

“With treatment, it seemed to be all right. I don’t know how I’m going to pull up, but regardless, he was too good for me today, so it didn’t really hurt me too much.”

Chris O’Connell says a potential hip flexor injury sustained on the first point on Saturday wasn’t the reason for his third-round defeat. Picture: Getty Images

Injuries have ravaged O’Connell’s career since he was a teenager, including ankle and osteitis pubis setbacks last year sidelining him for four months.

But his ambition to crack the top 100 has life after his breakthrough run to the round of 32 that saw him upset Argentine star Diego Schwartzman.

O’Connell started the grand slam tournament ranked No.175 but will end it about 30 spots better.

That ranking spike means he is likely to try to qualify for ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.

O’Connell intended to play the ATP 250 tournament in Pune, India, immediately after the Australian Open, as well as two Challengers, but said the injury may curb those plans.

He missed two months after Miami last year with his ankle setback, meaning he could make a serious dent in his top-100 goal ahead of the French Open.

“I feel like I really can get there,” O’Connell said.

Chris O’Connell will pocket $221,000 and rise about 30 spots in the rankings thanks to making the third round at the Australian Open. Picture: AFP

“I’ve just got to stay healthy this year and play consistent, week in and week out.”

For Cressy, reaching the last 16 is another career milestone after making the ATP 250 final in Melbourne in the lead-up to the Australian Open, which he lost to Rafael Nadal.

He must beat title favourite and second seed Daniil Medvedev to advance to the quarter-finals.

Cressy’s monstrous serve and net-rushing combination proved a nightmare riddle to solve as he hit 28 aces past O‘Connell.

But the Australian was still thrilled to reach the third round of his home grand slam.

“I played some big matches over the past few days, so it was awesome and a great experience,” he said.

“I’m going to take those matches and, hopefully, play some more big matches throughout the year.”