Teenager Kai Thompson saw his Australian Open Junior Championships run end in the quarter finals after a hard fought three set loss to eighth seed Zangar Nurlanuly. Despite winning the first set, Thompson eventually fell 3 6, 7 6, 6 4 in a match lasting nearly three hours. The Hong Kong player had reached the last eight without dropping a set earlier in the tournament.
Thompson said he did not feel he missed opportunities despite his opponent struggling with cramps during the match. The 17 year old praised Nurlanuly for continuing to fight at 100 percent even while dealing with physical issues. Thompson reflected that the close loss ultimately came down to experience in high pressure situations.
The rising tennis star from Hong Kong said he gained valuable experience from his week in Australia. Thompson adopted a positive outlook, stating you win some and lose some in competitive sports. He plans to build on this performance as he continues his junior tennis career.
