London, UK, 2 July 2021 | Leigh Rogers

Jordan Thompson has continued his career-best run at Wimbledon, progressing into the third round.

The Australian eliminated world No.14 Casper Ruud in a five-set opening-round battle yesterday, marking his first Grand Slam victory against a top-15 ranked opponent.

Today the 27-year-old achieved another breakthrough, recording his first Grand Slam win against a major finalist. And once again, Thompson had to fight hard to overcome a quality opponent.

Thompson was super impressive in a 7-5 6-4 5-7 6-3 victory against Japan’s Kei Nishikori, a former world No.4 and a US Open finalist in 2014.

It appeared Thompson was going to score a straight-sets win when he edged ahead 4-1 in the third set, but Nishikori proved his class to push the match into a fourth set.

The momentum swung early in the fourth set – Thompson went ahead 3-1, only for world No.53 Nishikori to level at 3-all.

But it was Thompson who stepped up in the final stages, breaking to love in the eighth game. From there, the world No.78 dutifully served out victory after three hours and five minutes on court.

Thompson finished the match with 38 winners and just 22 unforced errors, proving too solid for the two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist. The Australian, who had never progressed past the first round in four previous visits to the All England Club, also served 12 aces and won 81 per cent of first serve points.

Thompson now faces world No.79 Ilya Ivashka of Belarus in the third round.

Aussies in action – Wimbledon

TODAY’S RESULTS
Gentlemen’s singles, second round
Jordan Thompson (AUS) d Kei Nishikori (JPN) 7-5 6-4 5-7 6-3
James Duckworth (AUS) d Sam Querrey (USA) 7-5 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d Gianluca Mager (ITA) 7-6(7) 6-4 6-4
[17] Cristian Garin (CHI) d [Q] Marc Polmans (AUS) 7-6(3) 6-2 2-6 7-6(5)
[29] Cameron Norrie (GBR) d [WC] Alex Bolt (AUS) 6-3 6-1 6-2

Ladies’ singles, second round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) d Anna Blinkova (RUS) 6-4 6-3
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) d Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-4 0-6 6-3

COMING UP
Gentlemen’s singles, third round
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Ilya Ivashka (BLR)
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v [16] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
James Duckworth (AUS) v [23] Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)

Ladies’ singles, third round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)

> READ: Aussies enjoy winning starts in Wimbledon doubles