Rafael Nadal, the Manacorí, was on the edge of reaching the Brisbane semifinal after a tight quarterfinal loss to Cameron Thompson, a match that unfolded 7-5, 6-7, 3-6. The veteran Spaniard, returning to competition after a pause, faced a determined Australian opponent who played with increasing confidence as the match progressed. Nadal aimed to display the best version of his game to overcome the Balearic Islands’ best adversary on the day.
Following straightforward wins over Dominic Thiem and Alexander Kubler, Nadal found Thompson to be a stubborn obstacle. The Australian player worked his way into the rhythm of the encounter, gradually turning the momentum in his favor and forcing Nadal to fight for every point. Nadal had a chance, at most three match points, to seal the match but Thompson kept fighting and edged ahead to claim the decisive moments.
The opening serves from Nadal set the tone as he tried to blend clean forehands with a smoothly executed backhand down the line. Thompson responded by stepping in closer to the net and climbing for points at the net with increasing effectiveness. The Australian found ways to disrupt Nadal’s rhythm, generating pressure and forcing errors at key junctures.
In the middle of the first set, Thompson secured the first break and took the initiative. Nadal regrouped, found a short-lived window of reprieve, and reeled off a series of strong holds to reverse the momentum. The Spaniard managed to break back and, after a tense stretch, closed the set 7-5 despite the back-and-forth battle and the pressure from Thompson.
As the second set began, both players traded games at a rapid pace, delivering high-quality tennis that electrified the Brisbane crowd. Thompson pushed the set to a tiebreak. In that decisive breaker, Nadal found himself with three match points but once again the Australian squashed the opportunity to clinch the frame and forced a 7-6 score in favor of Thompson, who seized a critical moment when it mattered most.
Physical strains began to weigh Nadal at the start of the third set. He appeared to seek medical attention to assess his condition and continue, while Thompson continued to execute his aggressive, relentless game plan from the back of the court and kept Nadal on the defensive. The Australian consolidated his advantage and moved ahead, finishing the set 6-3 and claiming the match. The Brisbane crowd witnessed a courageous performance from Nadal, who returned to action and tested himself against a tough opponent on the comeback trail.
It was still early in Nadal’s return to the circuit, with only a handful of matches played since his comeback. Yet there was a clear sense of the Balearic star’s resilience and his commitment to competing at the highest level. The feeling among fans and analysts was one of cautious optimism about Nadal’s continued progression and his ability to contend at the premier events on the calendar. His return marks a renewed confidence in his capacity to challenge the best on tour and to push through demanding schedules with his characteristic resolve. The road ahead remained promising, with upcoming matches on the calendar that could reveal Nadal’s evolving form and provide further evidence of his enduring competitiveness. (Citations: Brisbane ATP review and match reports from tournament coverage).
The semi-final lineup saw Thompson advancing against Grigor Dimitrov, as the Bulgarian overcame Rinky Hijikata to reach the last four. The expected blockbuster between the Australian and the Bulgarian would add another chapter to Brisbane’s narrative as both players competed to secure a place in the final. Rune, seeded in the tournament, loomed as a potential, though perhaps last, obstacle before the title, adding another layer of intrigue to the climactic stages of the event. (Event coverage attribution: Brisbane tournament summary).