2022 AO 1R - Johnson d Thompson

Steve Johnson (USA) v Jordan Thompson (Australia)

This was the first meeting on tour between the two players.

Thompson had never been past the second round of the AO.

Johnson had made the third round twice (2015, 2016), but never past the opening round since 2017.

Johnson served first. 

The first eight games produced nothing particularly scintillating, but the players each held serve, with only Johnson bothering to go to deuce (in the third game).

In the tenth game, Thompson gave Johnson two set points after a couple of unforced forehand mistakes. These were saved, but a double fault gave Johnson another set point.

It was saved with a Johnson backhand error.

Thompson survived two more set points in the twelfth game before holding serve and sending the set to a tie break.

Thompson led 4-1, with two points against the Johnson serve, but surrendered the advantage by losing the next five points, and handing Johnson two set points.

Johnson took the set when Thompson erred on the second set point. 7-6(5).

In set two, no break points for ten games, with Johnson losing just one point from twenty one on his serve.

Thompson was in trouble when serving at 5-5, having to save two break points. He did and led 6-5.

Johnson ensured a second tie break.

Johnson hit a forehand winner to gain a mini break on Thompson’s serve and lead 3-1.

Thompson hit back, winning a point on the Johnson serve, and trailed 3-4.

Thompson saved a set point at 5-6.

At 6-7, Johnson couldn’t handle a Thompson return, and lost the set.  Thompson won it 7-6(6).

Johnson made a whole lot of unforced errors in the second game of set three and was broken. Johnson led 2-0.

In game five, Johnson threw in two double faults and gifted the break back to Thompson who trailed 2-3 but on serve.

In game seven and at 30-30, Johnson failed with his forehand twice to give Thompson another break of serve.

Thompson led 4-3.

Thompson served at 5-4 for the set, and lost just a single point in the process. The Aussie was ahead 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-4.

At 30-30 in game two of set four, Thompson hit an unforced forehand error, lost his temper, then lost his serve after a Johnson winner.

Johnson, clearly hampered by a leg injury, was still able to win enough points to hold serve and lead 3-0.

Thompson served at 2-5 to stay in the set. Johnson wasn’t  interested, just waiting to serve it out.

Which he did, with no concern at all, 6-3, levelling the match at 2 sets apiece.

Thompson achieved a break of serve in the fourth game of the final set to lead 3-1.

Johnson broke back immediately. 

Thompson lost another serve and trailed 3-4. Johnson consolidated and led 5-3, sealing the game with an ace.

Quickly to 0-40, Thompson faced three match points. A double fault, and Johnson won the match 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 4-6 6-3 6-3.