LONDON (AP) — At the grass-court Queen’s Club on Friday, Jordan Thompson defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 to earn his second win over a top-15 opponent this week and advance to the semifinals.
The Australian achieved a career first by taking advantage of Fritz’s unintentional mistakes at crucial times to reach three tour-level semifinals in a single season.
Thompson, ranked 43rd, had not triumphed in a match at the tour level since April going into the competition. In three sets, he defeated No. 15 Holger Rune, and Andy Murray had to retire hurt in their second-round match.
In an on-court interview, Thompson stated, “To make it to the semifinals is really satisfying, especially since I’ve had a rough run lately. Glad to turn it around on the grass.”
The 30-year-old said, “It just goes to show you can keep improving no matter how old you are if you stick at it long enough.” “I think I’m getting better,”
Following Thompson, Lorenzo Musetti will play. Musetti defeated British wild card Billy Harris 6-3, 7-5.
The 29-year-old Harris will enter the top 150 in the rankings the following week despite the defeat. At 162nd right now, he’s at a career high. In addition, he will be making his Wimbledon debut after being awarded a wild card this week.
Jack Draper, the other local player, was also defeated. Tommy Paul took out Draper’s winning run of seven games, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Draper defeated Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday after winning his first ATP title in Stuttgart last weekend.
Paul will play fellow American Sebastian Korda in his second career grass court semifinal match. Korda defeated Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4.
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