The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who made his return to competition at the Brisbane tournament after almost a year off due to injuries and two operations, was beaten in the quarter-final by the Australian Jordan Thompson (55e), winner 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, Friday.
The former world number 1, 37, fell to 672e rank, won the first set in 1 h 14 min, then got three match points in the second, which he wasted.
After managing to tie at one set, Thompson broke at the start of the third at 2-1, to lead 3-1 then break away 4-1.
At the end of this fifth game, Nadal left the court for a few minutes to go to the locker room for treatment, before returning and finally losing in three sets and 3 h 26 min.
Jostled from the start by a very incisive Thompson, particularly in returns of service, which meant he had to break first, Nadal nevertheless managed to win the first set.
The Majorcan had the opportunity to fold the match in two sets by obtaining three match points in the second. But Thompson, very eye-catching, managed to equalize, before taking the upper hand physically in the last set.
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