The Gold Coast Bulletin

THOMPSON’S CUP GRIT LEADS TO WILDCARD

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JORDAN Thompson poured his heart into Australia’s Davis Cup mission this year – and that’s one big reason why he and not Bernard Tomic yesterday landed a wildcard into the Brisbane Internatio­nal.

The two highest ranked Australian men without direct entry, Matt Ebden (No.76) and Thompson (No.94), yesterday received the last two main-draw wildcards for the tournament, which starts on Sunday week. Tennis Australia’s men’s wildcard selectors, including Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, refrained, as expected, from giving a Brisbane pass to Tomic, Australia’s former world No.17.

It leaves Tomic, who is the fifth-ranked Australian at No.141 after a dismal year of results, with a decision on whether to take up his entry to play qualifying rounds at the Queensland Tennis Centre, starting on Saturday week. Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said he had every indication that Tomic would play qualifying at the QTC.

Thompson returns to the QTC, where he made the singles quarter-final last summer, won the doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis and returned in April to win a vital first-day Davis Cup match there for Australia against American Jack Sock.

“I love playing on that court and the Davis Cup tie at Pat Rafter Arena was a great week for us,’’ Thompson said.

“Nick (Kyrgios) had two great wins there as well.’’

Fellow Queensland­er John Millman, ranked No.124, was awarded the first of the wildcards for Brisbane.

 ??  ?? Jordan Thompson’s efforts in the green and gold at Davis Cup level have been rewarded with a Brisbane Internatio­nal wildcard.
Jordan Thompson’s efforts in the green and gold at Davis Cup level have been rewarded with a Brisbane Internatio­nal wildcard.

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