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IMAGE: Rafael Nadal congratulates Jordan Thompson after shedding the Brisbane Worldwide quarter-final on Friday. {Photograph}: Type courtesy Brisbane Worldwide/X
Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open preparations suffered a blow when the Spaniard suffered a shock defeat by Jordan Thompson within the Brisbane Worldwide quarter-finals on Friday.
Native favorite Thompson saved three match factors earlier than prevailing 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 towards Nadal, who was enjoying his first match after almost a yr out with a hip harm.
Having gained the opener and main 6-4 within the second-set tiebreak, Nadal was on the verge of victory earlier than Thompson staged a exceptional comeback and went on to win in almost three- and-half hours.
Thompson broke 37-year-old Nadal within the fourth sport of the ultimate set and was 4-1 up when the Spaniard left the courtroom on a medical timeout.
Nadal, a 22-times Grand Slam champion, did return however couldn’t cease Thompson, who faces Grigor Dimitrov within the semi-finals.
“To beat Rafa in Brisbane in quarter-finals, I believe that is my first semi-finals on a tough courtroom as nicely,” Thompson mentioned. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Second seed Dimitrov beat Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-4.
IMAGE: Coco Gauff sealed her place within the semifinals of the Auckland Basic. {Photograph}: Henry Romero//Reuters
Coco Gauff swept apart Varvara Gracheva 6-1, 6-1 to succeed in the semi-finals of the Auckland Basic on Friday because the US Open champion continued her spectacular build-up to the primary Grand Slam of the yr at Melbourne Park.
Rain delayed the beginning of the match however as soon as play started Gauff wanted solely 53 minutes to see off her French rival. The 19-year-old has not dropped a set in her title defence and didn’t face a single break level on Friday.
The world quantity three raced by way of the opening set and took a 4-0 lead within the second earlier than Gracheva held serve, and with darkish clouds gathering as soon as once more Gauff was fast to wrap up a victory which pits her towards Emma Navarro in an all-American semi-final.
“I used to be specializing in enjoying my sport,” Gauff mentioned.
“I assumed I served very well, in all probability the perfect up to now within the match, which is one thing I have been engaged on low season. I am actually proud of how I performed.
“I am glad I used to be capable of end my match (earlier than it may rain).”
Second seed Elina Svitolina swept apart Marie Bouzkova 6-0, 6-3 in one other quarter-final.
Within the WTA occasion in Brisbane world quantity two Aryna Sabalenka overcame Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-4 to arrange a semi-final with Victoria Azarenka.
Sabalenka stormed by way of the primary set however confronted a stiffer problem within the second as Kasatkina raised her sport.
Defending Australia Open champion Sabalenka fired 29 winners, in comparison with seven by her opponent, to snuff out Kasatkina’s hopes of a comeback.
“It is laborious there since you get to know one another higher and higher each time you play,” Sabalenka, who now has a 6-2 head-to-head lead towards Kasatkina, mentioned of their rivalry.
She’s going to meet Azarenka, who outlasted Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for a spot within the final 4.
“With Jelena typically you simply need to placed on a helmet and attempt to keep in there,” mentioned Azarenka, who subsequent faces Aryna Sabalenka or Daria Kasatkina.
“However she’s an unbelievable participant, we have seen that many occasions. She’s a Grand Slam champion, she proved many occasions that she will beat anybody on any given day.”
Elena Rybakina reached the final 4 after her opponent Anastasia Potapova retired by way of harm after shedding the primary set 6-1.
She’s going to meet Linda Noskova, who beat Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-3.
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