Los Cabos Open: Jordan Thompson upsets Casper Ruud to claim maiden ATP Tour title in Mexico

Updated 25/02/2024 at 17:02 GMT

Jordan Thompson caused an upset as he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets to claim his first ATP Tour title at the Los Cabos Open. The Australian beat the Norwegian 6-3 7-6(4) in just over two hours in Mexico, with the 29-year-old climbing to a career-high ranking of world No. 32. Thompson had previously beaten Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals in Brisbane earlier this year.

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Jordan Thompson claimed his first ATP Tour title with a surprise victory over Casper Ruud in the Los Cabos Open.

Thompson, the eighth seed in Mexico, defeated Ruud, the No. 4 seed, 6-3 7-6(4) in Mexico to finish a marathon week for the Australian, who had spent 12 hours on court in his five matches in the tournament.

"I spent so many hours on the court this week," he said. "In the quarter-final I could have been double bageled, I could have been losing 6-0, 6-0. And now I'm about to lift the trophy, so I think it's still a miracle."

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Thompson had saved three match points in the quarter-finals against Alex Michelsen with the 29-year-old 6-0 3-0 down at one point, followed by a gruelling three-hour, 40-minute semi-final against Alexander Zverev, which Thompson came through 7-5 4-6 7-6(2) against the top seed.

The now-world No. 32 was the better player against Ruud, the world No. 12, who had an off day on the Mexican hard court as Thompson mixed up his game well, showing good hands at the net with 18 successful approaches from a total of 22.

Thompson came back from a break down at the start of the second set to lead 5-3, but his Norwegian opponent hauled him into a tie-break.

However, Thompson kept his nerve to deliver a big serve and a crushing forehand winner to bag his first title.

The Australian is now 13-5 in 2024, with his other big win coming in Brisbane before the Australian Open, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.