Kokkinakis, Thompson inflict carnage at Queens

Last year, Andy Murray and Milos Raonic faced off in the Queen’s final before meeting again three weeks later in the Wimbledon decider.

On Tuesday, the Brit and the Canadian were unceremoniously dumped in the first round.

Murray, the world No.1 and defending champion, faced Australian lucky loser Jordan Thompson, and fell in straight sets.

Earlier, third seed Raonic blew multiple opportunities in a 7-6(5) 7-6(8) loss to Aussie wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis, who finally enjoyed some good fortune after a near two-year battle with injury.

With No.2 seed Stan Wawrinka also exiting at the first hurdle – the Swiss lost in straight sets to Feliciano Lopez – it marked the first time in the Open Era that Queen’s has seen its top three seeds fall in the first round.

Top 3 seeds lost opener at #AegonChampionships — 1st time in Open Era at event and 1st time anywhere on @ATPWorldTour since 2016 Kitzbuehel

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) June 20, 2017

Kokkinakis admitted he struggled at first to adjust to facing Raonic on the Queen’s Club’s stadium court, but he eventually settled into his rhythm, saving a staggering nine break points and staving off three set points in the second-set tiebreak to seal victory in two hours.

Kokkinakis slipped on his second match point but recovered to smack an off-backhand winner, roaring in delight.

“I have been practising pretty good, and then come out on the court and I’m nervous as anything,” Kokkinakis admitted.

“My first few forehands, hit the back fence, I’m, like, ‘Jeez, this is bad again’. Luckily my serve helped me, and then I won the big points when it mattered, so it’s huge.”

The victory was a huge relief for the Aussie 21-year-old – now ranked No.698 and requiring either wildcards or his protected ranking to enter ATP events – who revealed he’d been existing in a very negative headspace in training.

“I’m usually not a hot head, but in practice I was breaking racquets every day in practice and that’s not me,” Kokkinakis said.

“I was just hating it. Winning and playing well in practice was good, but then I wasn’t translating.

“I just didn’t feel that confident. I felt like some of those issues I was having for a long time were still there, and I just wasn’t feeling great with my game.

“Obviously a win like today helps. Again, I have shown my level in practice, but you want to win. Practice sucks. Winning a match, that actually means something. It’s a good feeling.”

Meanwhile, Thompson – who only made his way into the main draw as a lucky loser after Aljaz Bedene withdrew with a wrist injury – became the first Australia ever to defeat Murray, a five-time champion at Queen’s.

“I played really well, served great. got a lot of free points and gave myself every opportunity in the rallies and didn’t make too many errors,” Thompson said of his breakthrough performance.

“I signed in for the lucky loser spot and there weren’t too many matches yesterday, but I hung around. If someone was going to pull out, I was always going to be there. I knew I was the next one in. When I got here, someone pulled out, and I got to play Andy.

“When I heard I was playing Andy, I was pretty nervous. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.”

An incredible stat emerged from the match – after 136 matches, this was the first one that Murray had played during which he’d failed to break his opponent’s serve.

The last player who faced Murray and held all of their service games was the great Roger Federer – two years ago.

While Murray had a forgettable day at the office – his forehand was a particular liability in the second set – it was an exemplary performance from Thompson, who played impeccably consistent and solid tennis to score a monumental upset.

“I think it’s clear he wouldn’t have had his best day today,” Thompson said. He made a couple of loose errors he usually wouldn’t make. I think he just puts it down to he had a rough day at the office.

“Beating the world No.1 and a Grand Slam champion, and beating him on grass at Queen’s, yeah, it’s definitely ranked No.1.”

The only seed to survive on Tuesday was No.4 seed Marin Cilic, who overcame John Isner 7-5 6-3.