The 28-year-old Thompson, who cleared six break points in the second set and thus turned the game around, finished it with a smash on his first game point. While the Greek track was disappointed, the Australian fell into captain Lleyton Hewitt’s arms.
In the second game, Botic van de Zandschulp will compete against the Australian leader Alex de Minaur. Should Van de Zandschulp win, a decisive double play will follow. With a win, the Orange qualifies for the semi-finals of the Davis Cup for the first time since 2001.
The quarterfinals, the semifinals and the final battle will all be played this week during the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga. The top eight countries have qualified. Croatia, Spain, Italy, the United States, Germany and Canada also participate in the south of Spain.
Australia will play in Málaga without Nick Kyrgios, the best tennis player in the country. The number 22 in the world, a finalist at Wimbledon this year, has chosen rest over the Davis Cup Finals.
Tallon Greek track believes that he has seriously failed himself. “This was the most painful defeat of my career. I had him over my knee for two sets, but I was not able to give him the final blow,” said Greespoor. ,,I should have rewarded myself with a win in two sets, but I should have done better on the important points. When you get that many breakpoints, you have to use one of them. But there was so much pressure and tension on this match, the first of the meeting.”
According to the 26-year-old Greek track, the defeat is typical for his 2022. ,,He fits well in my year, in which I lost many matches very close. I saw this as the first week of the new season, but I think I’ll leave it at the old year, ”saidGreekspoor, who dropped to place 96 in the world ranking.
In the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena, the Dutchman received support from about three hundred fans who had traveled with him, while Thompson had to do without noisy supporters. “It was probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in. They never let me down. That makes this defeat even more painful. If you lose 6-4 6-4, then you can still make peace with it. But this one hurts.”
Greek track indicated that he suffered from mild cramps in both legs in the second and third set. “It was a tough game physically. But that’s also because of the nerves in the beginning. Hopefully Botic van de Zandschulp can win his match, so that the doubles should bring the decision.”