Thompson upsets Zverev, set Ruud semi-finals clash in Los Cabos

Jordan Thompson needed seven match points of his own to seal an upset of top seed Alexander Zverev at the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo.

Following three hours, 40 minutes of semi-final drama on Friday night, the Aussie advanced to his third tour-level final with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) victory that concluded just after 1 a.m. In search of his first ATP Tour title, he will meet Casper Ruud in Saturday’s final at the ATP 250.

“I think it’s just a miracle,” Thompson said of his Los Cabos run, which included a fightback from 6-0, 3-0 down against Michelsen. “I never thought I’d be here.”

“It doesn’t feel effective,” said the Aussie, who now holds a 2-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage in their series. “It was over three and a half hours. It was just a great match and I just competed until the end I really don’t know what to say. I’m pretty tired.

Earlier in the evening, Ruud cashed in on a near-flawless serving display in the opening set to defeat defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas. After a dominant start to the semi-final, the fourth-seeded Norwegian fought off five set points in the second set to escape with a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory.

Ruud advanced to his 19th tour-level final (10-8) and his fifth on hard courts by improving to 17-21 against Top 20 opponents on the surface. Tsitsipas, who was bidding to successfully defend a title for the third time (2019-20 Marseille, 2022-23 Monte-Carlo), has now lost six consecutive matches against Top 20 opposition.

Following Saturday’s singles final, Ruud and Thompson will compete against each other in the doubles semi-finals — with the winners set to return to centre court for the final after suitable rest. Ruud is teaming with American William Blumberg while Thompson and fellow Aussie Max Purcell are the fourth-seeded pairing in the event.