LOCAL hope and reigning semi-finalist Jordan Thompson is through to the quarter finals of the ATP 250 event following an incredible comeback facing three first set points against American youngster Alex Michelsen before winning 7-5 6-3.

Thompson found himself down 2-5 and 0-40 on serve, with the Next Gen American only needing one point to close out the set. However somehow believing he had what it took to save the day, he not only swatted away the three break points, but held serve. Then with the momentum broke Michelsen not once, but twice as part of a five-consecutive game run to win the first set 7-5.

Michelsen regrouped to win the first game of the second set, but Thompson was already up and running, breaking the American twice among winning six of the last eight games en route to a striaght sets, one-hour and 43-minute victory in the ATP 250 event.

Thompson only dropped three points on serve in the second set, and was able to convert four of seven break points for the match compared to Michelsen’s sole break in the first set for a total of one from seven. The victory meant he is now one win away from defending his semi-final accomplishments from last year.

“I guess I don’t know what the words ‘give up’ mean. 5-2 0-40 I snuck out the set and actually got a little bit worried there when I had a few match points, and he started coming back,” Thompson said. “Thankfully I got it done in that game.

“It all started on [Pat Rafter Arena] last year. I beat Rafa in a three-hour marathon and it really kickstarted my year and gave me a lot of confidence and belief. Sort of just went from strength to strength in singles and doubles.”

However the player he lost to in last year’s semis – and then went on to win the title – Grigor Dimitrov – awaits him in the final four. The world number 10 ended the hopes of Aussie Aleksandar Vukic despite a second set fight from the local chance, 6-2 7-6.

In the other two Round of 16 matches, former Top 20 Chilean Nicolas Jarry took out French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi in a one-sided 6-2 6-3 match, while Czech Jiri Lehecka also over overcame a qualifier in Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 6-2 6-7 6-4.

In today’s action world number one Novak Djokovic faces fellow veteran and excitement machine Gael Monfils in the primetime night slot, with American Frances Tiafoe taking on another Frenchman in serve bot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard mid-afternoon on Pat Rafter Arena.

On Court 1, lucky loser Dusan Lajovic will look to continue his run since getting a second chance, taking on Czech youngster Jakub Mensik from midday, while following that, American Reilly Opelka faces Italian Matteo Arnaldi.