Jordan Thompson has come back from the brink in Mexico, overcoming a first-set flop then saving three match points to book a semi-final berth at the Los Cabos Open.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The in-form Australian lost the first nine games of his quarter-final to American teenager Alex Michelsen and was facing two break points at 1-4 in the second set before rallying to an extraordinary 0-6 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 victory.
Thompson saved all three match points in the second-set tiebreaker and overcame a service break in the third set to cap his great escape and clinch a place in the final four.
"That's probably one of the best comebacks I've ever had in my life," a proud Thompson declared after the see-sawing two-hour 39-minute encounter.
"I literally hadn't been in front until 6-5 in the third set. It was a long time being behind, but I don't think anyone would challenge my competitiveness.
"I never stopped fighting ... I always kept trying and I eventually got there."
Entering the event ranked a career-high 40 in the world, 29-year-old Thompson is set to rise another four spots and could finish it as high as No.32 if he wins the title.
World No.74 Michelsen was the conqueror of Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur in the previous round and would have fancied his chances over Thompson after romping through the opening set.
But the Sydneysider had other ideas, lifting his game to set up a semi-final date with top-seeded German Alexander Zverev, who was a 6-3 6-4 victor over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
In the other semi, Norway's fourth seed Casper Ruud will meet Greek No.2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 winner over American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Kovacevic had eliminated Rinky Hijikata in the previous round while Tsitsipas knocked out another Aussie in Aleksandar Vukic.
Ruud beat Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3 6-2 to advance.
Australian Associated Press
