Worth wait

THANASI Kokkinakis flirted with retirement last month. Jordan Thompson was beaten in qualifying on Sunday.

On a steamy Tuesday, pitted against grand slam heavyweights, the Australian underdogs created carnage at Queen’s Club – and elated in the finest wins of unorthodox careers.

Thompson, 23, sank a dagger into British hearts by downing reigning Wimbledon and Queen’s Club champion and world No. 1 Murray 7- 6 ( 7- 4) 6- 2.

Kokkinakis, 21, rocked Canadian automaton and third seed Milos Raonic 7- 6 ( 7- 5) 7- 6 ( 10- 8).

And with the departure of Stan Wawrinka, courtesy of a 7- 6 ( 7- 4) 7- 5 loss to Feliciano Lopez, the AEGON Championships were in chaos.

Not that Kokkinakis, after all his injury issues, cared a hoot about loss of promotional cache. He last month contemplated ending a 22- month struggle with shoulder, groin, elbow, back and chest issues.

Typically amiable, Kokkinakis revealed doubts over his future eroded his confidence as he worked to return to top- level singles after almost two years out of the game.

Asked if tweets suggesting he was about to retire from tennis ahead of Roland Garros were true, Kokkinakis said: “Yeah, no, I was being serious.

“I’m usually not a hothead, but in practice a couple weeks leading into it, I was just like breaking racquets every day in practice and that’s not me.

“I’m just trying to enjoy it out there. That’s the biggest thing for me. “Obviously a win like today helps.” Ranked No. 90 in the world, Thompson was beaten in the final round of Queen’s Club qualifying by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

He earnt a reprieve after Murray’s original opponent Aljaz Bedene succumbed to a wrist injury and withdrew.

Diligent and professional, Thompson signed on at the tournament in case somebody withdrew.

He hit paydirt when Bedene pulled out and the rest is now history.