Brisbane International: Injury hit Nadal Bow out in Brisbane’s quarter finals

Rafael Nadal crashed out of Brisbane International presented by Evie on Friday on his third match since returning to action in almost a year.

The 37-year-old Spaniard who defeated Dominic Thiem in his first match of the season and Jason Kubler to reach the last eight in Brisbane was stunned by world No.43 Jordan Thompson in a battle for a place in the last four at the ATP 250 hard court event.

Thompson saved three match points in the second set before charging to a remarkable 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-4 quarter-final triumph in an astonishing three hours and 25 minutes inside Pat Rafter Arena.

In doing so, the Australian and home favourite, who also defeated Nadal in the first round of the doubles in Brisbane, fed off a raucous home crowd to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

“I completely forgot I saved match points,” said a delighted Thompson in his on-court interview. “To beat Rafa at home, in Brisbane in a quarter-final. I think it’s my first semi-final on a hard court as well. I couldn’t be happier.”

Now into the semi-finals in Brisbane for the first time, Jordan Thompson will take on second seed Grigor Dimitrov who booked his spot in the last four with a straight-sets win against Rinky Hijikata.

Nadal, who will rue bad misses on two of his three match points, left the court for a medical time-out at 1-4 in the third set, but appeared to be moving freely on his return as he tried to mount a late comeback.