Search

show me:

Thompson out, Millman into Astana quarters

3 minute read

Australian Jordan Thompson has failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Astana Open, but compatriot John Millman will feature in the last eight.

JOHN MILLMAN.
JOHN MILLMAN. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Australian Jordan Thompson has been beaten in three sets by qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori in the round of 16 of the Astana Open.

In their first ever meeting, the 21-year-old Finn triumphed 6-2 3-6 6-4 over the eighth-seeded Thompson in a little over two hours.

The win for the world No.98 sets up a quarter-final clash with local favourite Mikhail Kukushkin, who rallied to beat top-seeded Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-1.

The 26-year-old Thompson, ranked 60th in the world, came from a set down to beat Brit Cameron Norrie in the previous round but was unable to repeat the trick to triumph over Ruusuvuori.

Fellow Aussie John Millman fared better, battling into the last eight by disposing of Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco in straight sets.

The 31-year-old from Brisbane, seeded four in the Kazakhstan tournament, needed just one break of serve in each set to emerge a 6-3 6-4 winner after an hour and 22 minutes.

It set up a meeting with American Tommy Paul, the seventh seed, who swept past Radu Albot of Moldova 6-4 6-0 in 72 minutes.

It will also be world No.45 Millman's first appearance in a Tour-level quarter-final since the start of the year when he reached the last eight in Auckland.

American Frances Tiafoe made it into his second quarter-final of the year, upsetting the second-seeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5 6-3.

Tiafoe will next play Belarusian Egor Gerasimov, who defeated Czech Jiri Vesely 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory with the help of 14 aces.

Third seed Adrian Mannarino needed just 62 minutes to sweep past Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita 6-1 6-1 for a place in the last eight.

The Frenchman will next face American Mackenzie McDonald, who knocked out Italian wild card Andreas Seppi 3-6 6-3 6-3 in just over two hours.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au