No snail's pace as Tommo breaks new Wimbledon ground
Harbouring a debilitating back injury that made him moan after his two previous courageous five-set wins that even 'snails move faster', Thompson looked in sharper nick and reckoned he felt much improved on Friday as he beat Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3 in their third-round clash.
It booked the battling 'Tommo' his first last-16 appearance at Wimbledon at the ninth attempt, and only the second fourth-round date of his grand slam career, matching his US Open performance of last year and 2020.
And it's set him up believing he can prevail in a mouth-watering showcourt last-16 date on Sunday with in-form fifth seed Taylor Fritz, the big-serving American he beat on the grass at Queen's Club last year.
'It's a pathetic outlook if I go out there thinking I can't win. I won last time on grass, but very different grass, in different circumstances. So, you know, it'll be a new day,' said the 31-year-old Sydneysider.
On the eve of the Championships, the injury-plagued Thompson wasn't sure he would be fit to play because of the painful sacroiliac joint problem in his back.
He has also battled on in the doubles here, so as not to let down partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert. 'When I was warming up for the doubles yesterday, I was seriously questioning what I was doing out there, but I actually felt better as the day went on. Jordan Thompson has done it again, defying his injury to make it to the fourth round at Wimbledon. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP
'And today was actually a lot better. Don't know why, but felt half-normal on the court. But to make my first Wimbledon fourth-round under the circumstances at the moment is incredible.'
He's the first Australian to reach the fourth round at the grass-court slam this year, with both Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina having the chance to join him on Saturday.
In the amphitheatre of Court 18, marathon man Thompson managed to avoid having to go to five sets for a third straight match - while always looking more comfortable on his favourite surface than the 23-year-old grass-court novice, even when Darderi grabbed the third set.
There's was a flashpoint on set point at the end of the first set when Thompson caught his own cap as it fell off his head while he returned serve, but the rally continued, he won the stanza, only for Darderi to protest furiously that the point should be replayed because of hindrance.
'It didn't hinder him. It hindered me. So I don't know what he was complaining about, but I get where he's coming from, because it puts both of us off,' conceded Thompson.
Last-16 opponent Fritz defeated Spain's 26th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1, also reporting, like Thompson, he's feeling better by the match after tendinitis trouble.
Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's daydream of pulling off the greatest of Wimbledon escapes against American big-hitter Ben Shelton lasted less than a minute when the pair resumed their match that was suspended controversially with the 10th seed about to serve for the match. Ben Shelton of United States celebrates against Rinky Hijikata. Credit: Hannah Peters / Getty Images
When the match resumed on No.2 Court in the Friday afternoon sunshine, everyone could see the funny side once Shelton he won all four points in just 55 seconds, including three booming aces, to complete the straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-4 victory in two hours 12 minutes.
Sydneysider Hijikata, who had been unable to dent the two-time grand semi-finalist's delivery all match, couldn't help but grin ruefully.
'Last night's experience was bizarre ... but today that was probably an absolute clinic on how to serve out a match if you've got one game to go,' said Hijikata.
'I thought it was bloody good effort by him.'
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