LONDON: It was a tricky second round encounter for Sam Querrey at the Aegon Championships on Thursday. Facing Australian lucky loser Jordan Thompson, he prevailed 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, after over two hours of play.
The 2010 champion initially struggled to tame his opponent, who stunned world No.1 Andy Murray two days ago. Opportunities came and went during the first two sets as he failed to convert a total of eight break points. The inability proved too troublesome for the American, who dropped the second set due to a lapse in his mentality.
Regardless of the scare, Querrey bounced back against a growingly frustrated Thompson. Breaking for 2-0 at the start of the decider, the Australian was slammed with a code violation after hitting a ball high into the air out of anger. An example of the disparity in experience between the two players. Continuing to weather the storm with the help of a second consecutive break, the world No.28 moved into the last eight after a serve out wide proved too much for Thompson to handle.
“It was tough out there. It was windy. The first set I had numerous chances and couldn’t get them but played a good tiebreaker. He played a good second (set).” Querrey said about the match.
“The Third set was strange. Break of serve, break of serve, break of serve. Then he had a Love-40 on me. I felt when I climbed out of that game I had a lot of momentum and felt good about my chances of closing it out.”
The past is the past
Seven years have passed since Querrey lifted the trophy at the Queen’s Club. Since then, he has achieved a ranking best of 17th in the world, won four additional ATP titles and reached the quarter-finals at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. Some players relished in that fact they are a former champion of a tournament, but not the fast-serving 29-year-old.
“I don’t think the win from seven years ago has any effect on how I play today or going forward. That was fun to win it back then, but seven years is a long time ago.”
Providing a frank assessment of his game, Querrey explained how his 2017 style differs to that of seven years ago. He believes he is more confident at the net, has a better backhand and returns well. All three of those aspects was highlighted earlier this year when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the Alcapulco Open to claim ATP trophy No.9.
Querrey might have changed over the years, but the venue he plays at remained the same. This year is his 10th consecutive year playing at The Queen’s Club. A fact the American seeks comfort in.
“Besides the stands are a little different, the courts are a little different, it feels the same. The locker room hasn’t changed. The players lounge is one of the best.” He said.
“Seven years ago I feel like you had a full crowd on Monday at 12:30 for that first match, which you rarely have at tournaments. Little things are different, but it always feels the same when I come back.”
Bidding to reach the last four for the first time since 2012, Querrey’s next test will be the formidable Gilles Muller. Muller is currently on a six-match winning streak after winning ‘s-Hertogenbosch last week. It will be the first meeting between the two since 2009.
“It’s never fun to play a tall lefty, serve-and-volleyer on any surface, and the grass makes it a little tougher.” He concluded about the upcoming match.
