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Jordan Thompson has been been defeated by Joao Sousa 6-4 7-6 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open.
In a match of missed opportunities, Thompson had chances in the last two sets, but couldn’t capitalise on them and was defeated in straight sets.
The Australian Open wildcard playoff champion started slow in the match and was broken in just the third game of the contest.
Sousa took full advantage of the break and didn’t drop serve for the remainder of the set to take it 6-4.
In the second set, Thompson improved, and held serve well until the 11th game of the set when he was broken.
As Sousa served for it, the Australian fought back, and forced the second set into a tiebreaker with his first break of the match.
In a momentum shifting tiebreaker, Sousa had the advantage at the start with a mini-break, before Thompson fought back.
Points went on serve until 6-5 when Thompson netted a forehand to give the Portuguese player the second set.
Sousa then got a break in the final set before Thompson fought back to 4-4 in the set.
Unfortunately for Thompson, he would go from 40-0 up, to match point down, at 4-5 in the final set.
He would save the first match point but lose on the second.
It ended a match that could have been different for the Australian. He only lost 13 less points than Sousa and it was level at 44 points each in the second set.
His big problem was the unforced errors with the New South Welshman hitting 48 of them during the match.
He conceded that his opponent deserved the win and did not give him an inch during the match.
“He’s a good player and he didn’t miss too much. You can always learn from that.”
Thompson later added that he needs to remain positive.
“I was a bit too hard on myself (last year).”
“I can’t let the same thing happen this year. I need to take the form from Kooyong (into the rest of 2015).”
“I want to be inside the top 200 in the next few months. I don’t have anything to defend.”
Thompson’s next chance to earn points will be at the Hong Kong Challenger next week.
Can Jordan Thompson spring a surprise on Day 1 of the 2015 Australian Open and defeat Joao Sousa in the opening round?
After winning the Australian Open wildcard playoff for the second consecutive year, Thompson will make his second appearance at the Open today.
Last year, in the first round, he pushed Jerzy Janowicz to the limit as he lost to the Polish player in five sets. After winning the first two sets, Janowicz lifted and bounced back.
Thompson ran out of puff in the final two sets to hand the Polish number one the victory.
In order to qualify for this year’s Australian Open, Thompson had to replicate his 2013 playoff win, with his ranking not enough to be granted a wildcard by Tennis Australia. He did just that in a five-set marathon against John-Patrick Smith in last year’s final.
The win, which was 9-7 in the final set, saw both players out on their feet in the closing stages of the match.
Hopefully in today’s match, Thompson can utilise that confidence and momentum on these courts, to push Sousa all the way on Court 13.
Last year was a development year for Thompson. After rocketing up the rankings in 2013, Thompson consolidated his position in the top 300 with some solid performances on the Challenger circuit.
He made the semi-finals at the An-Ning Challenger and the final at the Bangkok Challenger. Thompson also got to a career high ranking of 218 in September last year. His goal for 2015 will be to push into the top 150. He has the talent to achieve that.
That starts today with a winnable match for the 20 year old. He faces Portugal’s Joao Sousa, who is the world number 52. Sousa – who won Portugal’s first ever ATP world tour singles title in Malaysia in 2013 – has happy memories from the Australian Open.
In 2013, at his second ever Grand Slam main draw match, he defeated Australian John-Patrick Smith in straight sets at Melbourne Park to record his first ever win at this level.
Later that year he would make the third round at the US Open. Sousa will be tough to beat today and Thompson will have to be at his best to win. Importantly for the Australian, Sousa has not been at his best recently.
Since making the Metz final in September last year, Sousa has won one of his last eight matches. This includes a first round loss in the Auckland event last week.
On hard court surfaces in the ATP he is 10 wins and 19 losses in his last two years on the ATP tour. This could be a big chance for Thompson to win.
For a small player, Thompson packs a punch with his serve. If he lands plenty of aces that will help him today. Thompson also needs to land plenty of winners with his forehand. That shot is his strength. Plenty of winners and minimal unforced errors will help the Australian today.
Sousa can go off the boil in matches and can be rattled by little things in a match. While that has gone out of his game in the last twelve months, it can happen on the odd occasion.
With the crowd being on Thompson’s side today, it will be interesting to see if Sousa can control his temper. If he can’t then the Australian has a big chance to win quick games.
It is almost a 50/50 contest with Sousa having a slight advantage over the Australian. If Thompson is to win the match, he needs to do it early.
A three set, or four set triumph, is vital for the Aussie.
I predict him to get a good start and I can see an upset today. If the match last for four sets, Thompson will win.
If it goes to 5 sets, then Sousa will win.
PREDICTION – Jordan Thompson 3-1.
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