Jordan Thompson reached the ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinals for the first time in seven years and 28 attempts with a hard-fought win over local favorite Adrian Mannarino.
Paris, France, November 1, 2024 | Ian Chadband (AAP)
Towards the end of an incredible year in which he discovered that your tennis career can skyrocket even at age 30, Jordan Thompson achieved another breakthrough by reaching the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters.
The tenacious Sydneysider advanced to the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in 28 attempts with a 7-5 7-6(5) win over French favorite Adrian Mannarino on Thursday. years.
Having won his first ATP singles title in Los Cabos in 2024 and his first Grand Slam doubles title at the US Open, ‘Thommo’ is now in uncharted territory in Bercy as he prepares to face another Frenchman, Ugo Humbert. Last 8th.
3 – Since the inception of this format in 1990, Jordan Thompson is now only the third Australian over the age of 30 to reach the ATP Masters 1000 QF, joining Wayne Arthurs (Cincinnati 2002) and Matthew Ebden (Shanghai 2018). spring.#Rolex Paris Masters | @RolexPMasters @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/ERZiYFTxyk
— Opta Ace (@OptaAce) October 31, 2024
Humbert defeated Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz (second seed) 6-1 3-6 7-5 on Thursday evening.
It was a fantastic day for Australia, with Thompson’s compatriot Alex de Minaur beating a well-informed Jack Draper to reach the quarter-finals. Two Australian players have reached the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters for the first time in the same event in its 38-year history. Bersi.
> Read more: De Minaur qualifies for ATP finals
This means De Minaur is one step closer to qualifying for the ATP Finals. He became the first Australian to appear as a single in the prestigious season-ending event since Lleyton Hewitt 20 years earlier.
Thompson had to get one of the most important results of his career the hard way at the Palais Omnisports against the unorthodox Mannarino, a languid left-hander with an economical style.
Both players struggled to get up to speed and were prone to making mistakes in tough matches. Mannarino, in particular, committed 44 unforced errors.
Thompson took advantage of the veteran Frenchman’s terrible service game at the end of the first set to force him to love.
In the second stanza, Thompson felt he was starting to “lose it a little bit” as Mannarino fought back, breaking him at 5-5 and then winning two set points off his own delivery.
“It was a little creaky out there, but I fought back well at 6-5, 40-15 and actually found my best score to sneak the win in a tiebreaker.” Thompson said after two hours and 20 minutes of work.
“That’s what we’ve been trying to do: get big results in big tournaments.”
It’s worth the wait
30 years old @jordanthommmo2 Defeated Mannarino 7-5 7-6 to advance to his first Masters quarterfinals! #Rolex Paris Masters pic.twitter.com/uQsz67ufd9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 31, 2024
Thompson reaches a career high after comfortably reaching the quarterfinals for the ninth time in the best season of his singles career. ATP Live Rankings World Ranking 26thIt reflected his stellar year in both doubles and singles.
“I definitely think the doubles helped my reaction a lot. “I suddenly hit a half-volley at a break point early in the second set,” he said.
“It’s much easier to come back from the comfort of the Internet.”
