Jordan Thompson, Rinky Hijikata and Chris O'Connell lose at ATP Rosmalen tournament

Australia Broadcast Center

a day ago

Australian Jordan Thompson has failed to convert two match points to be bundled out of the grass-court ATP event in the Dutch town of Rosmalen.
Thompson, an accomplished grass court performer whose body has been beaten up over a tough season, had won his opening-round contest on Monday against American Aleksandar Kovacevic but lost out in the last-16 from a set up and despite having held two match points against Canada's Gabriel Diallo 4-6 6-1 7-5.
Thompson, a two-time finalist in the event, had his chance when holding match points on return at 5-4 in the final set, but Diallo kept his nerve to win 13 of the final 16 points and seal victory in two hours and eight minutes.
"I played some really good tennis, he's a very tricky opponent on the grass, it's a surface that suits him well," said Diallo.
"I knew I had to be really sharp. I came really close to losing on my serve but I managed to come up with some good points and carry that momentum."
It was a tough day for the Australians, with Rinky Hijikata and Chris O'Connell also bowing out on Wednesday.
Hijikata was also a set up against British stalwart Dan Evans before eventually succumbing 3-6 6-4 6-3, while world number 80 O'Connell found French veteran Adrian Manarino too much to cope with on the grass, as the world number 127 prevailed 6-1 6-3.
The triple defeat meant that Australian hopes now rest solely with fourth seed Alexei Popyrin, the last Aussie man standing at Roland Garros who had a first-round bye but will face Belgian Zizou Bergs in the last-16 on Thursday.
Alex de Minaur won this event in 2024, but elected not to defend his title as he takes a break before preparing for Wimbledon.
AAP