Jordan Thompson has lashed officials for a scheduling clash that marred the biggest upset of the US Open so far as he charges into the final 32 in New York for just the second time.
Thompson ousted Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 7-5 in a huge day for the Australians, with Alex de Minaur and Chris O’Connell joining Thompson and Alexei Popyrin in the third round with steely wins.Â
But Thompson was left fuming over a decision that left his coach having to watch another charge while the Australian was carving out the biggest win of his grand slam career.
Aussie Jordan Thompson claimed the huge scalp of Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz to surge into the third round of the US Open
But Thompson was filthy his coach, one-time Australian No.1 Marinko Matosevic, had to choose between watching him and fellow Sydneysider Chris O’Connell, who he also mentors.
Thompson and O’Connell, who also progressed to the third round with a 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory Italian Mattia Bellucci, were both scheduled as the first matches on day four starting at 11am.
With Matosevic cheering on O’Connell on court 11, Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt sat in Thompson’s box on show court 17.
‘You can thank the schedule-makers for that one,’ he said of not having his coach in support.
‘I mean, we’ve only been working together and are the only two (players) that share a coach for 20 months.
‘It’s happened a few times. They just don’t seem to give a s***. So just too good.
‘Got to clap the ATP for that one, or whoever makes the schedule, but it’s happened four or five times, elsewhere and slams.
‘They should be (aware) but it feels like they just don’t care.’
Thompson was furious at officials for scheduling him and fellow Aussie Chris O’Connell at the same time, forcing Marinko Matosevic to choose which match to watch
Thompson said officials were well aware of the rare double-coaching situation and Matosevic had requested for his two players not to be on court at the same time.
‘He said it again but he shouldn’t need it to say it again,’ Thompson said.
‘But lucky I had Rusty (Hewitt) there and I had to give him the celebration at the end.’
Thompson’s reward for taking out Hurkacz is the chance to match his grand slam-best run to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows four years ago.
The 30-year-old will play world No.30 Matteo Arnaldi, a player ranked just two spots above him.
‘It’s an opportunity for both of us. There’s no denying that,’ Thompson said.
‘In saying that he looked like he cruised through today and he’s been playing good tennis.
‘He made semis at the (Montreal) Masters a couple of weeks ago so it’ll be another tough battle.’
O’Connell claimed a big win over Italian Mattia Bellucci to advance to the third round as well
O’Connell earned a show-court crack at world No.1 Jannik Sinner with his victory over Bellucci.Â
O’Connell is guaranteed the biggest pay day of his career with a cheque for at least $US215,000 ($A315,000) coming his way.Â
Thanasi Kokkinakis suffered a disappointing letdown to bow out.
Two days after eliminating dual grand slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kokkinakis crashed to a deflating 6-4 7-5 7-5 second-round loss to Portuguese baseliner Nuno Borges.
