US Open 2020: Australia's Jordan Thompson falls to Borna Coric in fourth round at Flushing Meadows

Lachlan McKirdy

US Open 2020: Australia's Jordan Thompson falls to Borna Coric in fourth round at Flushing Meadows image

Jordan Thompson has fallen to a straight-sets defeat to 27th-seed Borna Coric after a career-best week at the US Open.

The Croatian won 7-5 6-1 6-3 in a little over two hours to book his place in the quarter-final of a Grand Slam for the first-ever time. 

Thompson was unable to find his rhythm throughout the match as Coric dominated the Australian. 

Coric won six of 11 break points against Thompson who produced 36 unforced errors for the match. 

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In the first set, it was a fairly even contest with both players breaking serve to send it to 5-5. 

However, Coric won the last two games to take the set 7-5. 

Thompson completely lost his way in the second set as he produced 12 unforced errors to Coric's three. 

At one point, Thompson was so frustrated with his tennis he took an air swing with his racquet at the ground and threw his hat down in frustration. 

But unlike Djokovic earlier in the day, any tennis balls hit in anger were aimed well in the sky and not near any officials on the court. 

The second set finished 6-1 to Coric with Thompson serving at less than 50 per cent on his first serve. 

Thompson battled hard in the final set but Coric just continued to run the Australian around the court. 

In the end, Thompson was forced to run an extra 250 metres throughout the match as the Croatian pushed him across the surface. 

Coric concedes he came out with an aggressive game plan to try and get on top of Thompson early. 

"Yeah, obviously today the mentality was to try to play as aggressive as I can," Coric said.

"Obviously I was not as fresh as at the beginning of the tournament.

"At the same time I think I'm playing much better when I'm playing aggressive."

For Thompson, it caps of a career-best week for the 26-year-old who will also be rewarded with a massive payday. 

Thompson is set to receive US$250,000 for reaching the fourth round of the US Open. 

“An incredible week for me,” Thompson said.

“I’m playing good tennis and looking forward now to getting on the clay.

"This has given me a lot of confidence.”

Coric will now take on fifth-seed Alexander Zverev for a place in the US Open semifinals.

Alex De Minaur is now the only Australian left in the US Open singles draw. 

He will take on Canadian Vasek Pospisil on Tuesday morning for a place in the quarterfinals.

You can watch all the US Open action LIVE on Kayo Sports.

 

Lachlan McKirdy

Lachlan McKirdy Photo