Thompson stages steely comeback in opening round at Wimbledon ...

London, Great Britain, 2 July 2024 | Leigh Rogers

Jordan Thompson has started his Wimbledon 2024 campaign with a lionhearted come-from-behind victory.

For the second year in a row, the 30-year-old found himself trailing by two sets in the opening round at the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam. And once again, his fighting spirit was on show at the All England Club as he recovered to triumph in a five-set battle.

The world No.40 needed four hours and six minutes to subdue the powerful Pavel Kotov, eventually closing out a 5-7 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 win on Court 10.

It is Thompson’s eighth career five-set victory and the fourth time he has recovered from a two-sets-to-love deficit on the Grand Slam stage.

“Don’t really enjoy them too much, I feel like it’s aging me,” Thompson said after completing his 19th five-set match.

“Two sets to love down, it’s such a mental battle.”

Thompson’s biggest Grand Slam comebacks Event Round Result Australian Open 2017 1R Defeated Joao Sousa (POR) 6-7(2) 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-1 US Open 2022 1R Defeated Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 2-6 1-6 6-2 6-4 6-4 Wimbledon 2023 1R Defeated Brandon Nakashima (USA) 2-6 2-6 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3 Wimbledon 2024 1R Defeated Pavel Kotov 5-7 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-4

Thompson acknowledged his past experience in five-set matches provided extra confidence, with his self-belief stemming from his first experience of recovering from a two-set deficit at Australian Open 2017.

“I just felt like I was on top of the world,” he recalled of that result. “It gave me so much confidence to know that I can come back from any deficit. Obviously, you need to play well still. But just to know that the fitness is taken care of is a big win, knowing you can rely on the tank.”

Thompson had additional motivation to beat world No.53 Kotov too, having squandered match points in their only previous meeting in April.

“It was definitely in the back of my mind,” he acknowledged.

After advancing to Wimbledon’s second round for a fourth consecutive year, Thompson will face a familiar opponent.

His next meets world No.65 Brandon Nakashima, who held a two-set lead against Thompson in the opening round at Wimbledon last year. The 22-year-old American proved his grass-court prowess to knock out 18th seed Sebastian Baez earlier today.

“Hopefully I’ll learn something from those two sets last year and start a bit better in the second round,” Thompson said.

Alex Bolt’s quest to score a major upset against eighth seed Casper Ruud did not go to plan, with the Aussie qualifier’s winning run coming to an end at No.3 Court.

Bolt had his chances, but only managed to convert one of the 10 break points he earned throughout the two-hour and 13-minute encounter.

With 18 aces helping his cause, Ruud posted a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory.

Aussies in action – Wimbledon

RESULTS Men’s singles, first round Jordan Thompson (AUS) d Pavel Kotov 5-7 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) d Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 3-6 7-6(8) [8] Casper Ruud (NOR) d [Q] Alex Bolt (AUS) 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 [Q] Otto Virtanen (FIN) d Max Purcell (AUS) 6-3 6-2 6-2

Women’s singles, first round Daria Saville (AUS) d Peyton Stearns (USA) 6-4 6-2

COMING UP Men’s singles, first round [9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [LL] James Duckworth (AUS) Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Thiago Monteiro (BRA) Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Flavio Cobolli (ITA) Chris O’Connell (AUS) v [13] Taylor Fritz (USA) Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [17] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) Adam Walton (AUS) v Federico Coria (ARG)

Men’s singles, second round Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [3] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Brandon Nakashima (USA)

> VIEW: Wimbledon 2024 men’s singles draw

Women’s singles, first round [WC] Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [13] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [Q] Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v [Q] Robin Montgomery (USA)

Women’s singles, second round Daria Saville (AUS) v [18] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)

> VIEW: Wimbledon 2024 women’s singles draw

> READ: Nine Australians to contest doubles at Wimbledon 2024

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