Australian tennis participant Jordan Thompson was at it once more, upstaging Casper Ruud for the second time this yr within the opening spherical of the Tokyo ATP 500. The win pits him in opposition to Japan’s Kei Nishikori in a juicy second-round match.
This is his second victory over Ruud this yr after his surprising upsets in Los Cabos, Mexico, introduced him his first ATP 500 crown.
Thompson’s breakout season has propelled the Australians into the world’s high, 30-and aside from the hard-court summer season of North America, which included a runner-up end in Atlanta and a deep fourth-round look on the US Open. There hasn’t been a lot left to the creativeness.
Is he now able to face the previous world no. 4?
Thompson’s Record Against Top-10 Players Keeps Improving
Thompson is now 5-7 in 2023, bettering his file in opposition to top-10 gamers after successful in opposition to Ruud 7-6(5), 6-1 within the opener in Tokyo, in line with Tennis.com.au. The victory ranges out his head-to-head rating at 3-3 versus the Norwegian star, establishing him as a tricky opponent on the ATP tour.
Despite the current triumph on the US Open with Max Purcell in Grand Slam doubles, Thompson stated it doesn’t have an effect on his singles efficiency.
“It doesn’t really affect me that much. I lost the Wimbledon final [in doubles] after holding match points and got straight back on the horse and made the final in Atlanta in singles,” Thompson stated.
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Fellow Aussies Shine in Tokyo
But it wasn’t the one nation the place Australian tennis celebrated an upset victory as we speak as fellow Aussie Chris O’Connell additionally performed a scintillating sport – beating Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, world No. 35, 6-4, 7-6(5). The 79th ranked-in-the-world O’Connell is about to face American Alex Michelsen subsequent, who himself had precipitated an upset with a win over fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
However, the information wasn’t all good for Australian tennis in Tokyo as World No. 23 Alexei Popyrin misplaced narrowly in a rematch of his Czech opponent Tomas Machac. The match ended at 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-5 after a superbly contested three units and noticed the tip of Popyrin’s Tokyo marketing campaign.
Thompson to Face Nishikori in Tokyo 2nd Round
Thompson will sq. off in opposition to the house favourite and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, setting himself up for an exciting second-round encounter in Tokyo.
With momentum on his bottom and a rising popularity for top-tier upsets, Thompson will look to proceed that nice type and push his run deeper within the event.
Does Thompson Have a Chance Against Nishikori?
Based on Bleacher Nation, the chances that Thompson will defeat Nishikori on the Rakuten Japan Open is 64.9%. Meanwhile, the Japanese tennis participant solely has a 41.7% likelihood of successful the spherical.
Thompson enjoys being the world no. 29. He has extra video games than Nishikori this yr. However, though the latter is now on the two hundredth spot, Thompson shouldn’t present indicators of complacency in entrance of the previous no. 4.
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