Jordan Thompson has advanced to the fourth round of Wimbledon after a strong performance against Italy’s Luciano Darderi. The Australian player displayed dominance from the start, securing his victory in four sets—unlike his prior matches in which he required five sets to progress.
Commentator Todd Woodbridge noted Thompson’s remarkable journey, highlighting that there were times when he contemplated not participating at all. “Incredible,” Woodbridge remarked, reflecting on Thompson’s resilience.
Thompson began confidently, winning the first set and maintaining a break lead in the second, despite moments of pressure from Darderi, who challenged him with long rallies. The intensity of the match heightened in the third set, where Darderi finally managed to break Thompson’s serve for the first time. However, Thompson regained his composure in the fourth set, obtaining an early break that set the tone for his victory.
As the crowd grew more animated, Darderi’s frustration mounted. Following a dropped service game, he vented by smashing a spare ball away, earning a warning from the umpire. Tensions flared further when a bee interrupted the game, leading to a delay that annoyed Darderi. Despite these challenges, Thompson remained level-headed, closing the match with just two match points, ultimately winning with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Thompson excelled in his service game, delivering 19 aces compared to Darderi’s eight. Next, he is set to face American Taylor Fritz, the world No. 5, in the fourth round.