Rafael Nadal missed three match points and needed a medical timeout Friday before losing to Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinals of his tournament comeback after a yearlong injury layoff.
The 22-time major winner failed to convert a match point in the 10th game of the second set and two more in the tiebreaker before No. 55-ranked Thompson rallied to win 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 at the Brisbane International.
With the Australian Open starting Jan. 14, Nadal’s rehabilitation from the hip injury and surgery that sidelined him for most of 2023 will be tested.