Tennis expert Mark Petchey is backing Jordan Thompson to win a set against defending champion Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon on Thursday (AEST).
Petchey, Andy Murray’s former coach, stopped short of predicting Australia’s world No.70 would pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
But he genuinely felt the freshly shaven 29-year-old had the game to at least make life difficult for the greatest grand slam winner in men’s tennis history.
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Thompson and Djokovic have never played each other in a match before but hit together in a Davis Cup practice session in 2019 in Madrid.
“I do see him getting a set,” former British professional Petchey told Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“Obviously Novak is the favourite but I like Jordan in that he will try something different. Too many players go out there and play the same way. He will mix it up.”
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Incredibly, Djokovic has not lost on Wimbledon’s Centre Court since 2013 when Murray beat him in a memorable final.
Djokovic, 36, is gunning for his fifth consecutive singles title in London.
“I really like Jordan’s game,” Petchey said.
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“He’s difficult when he serves close to the line without the power. He’s a strategic server rather than a guy that’s going to get free points and he is somebody that can adapt.
“He is somebody that feels comfortable around the net. But getting to the net against Novak on your terms is arguably the hardest thing in the world.”
Thompson beat USA’s Brandon Nakashima 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 in the first round while Serbia’s Djokovic cruised past Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6.
“It’s going to be tough for Jordan, who’s one of the nicest guys, one of the hardest workers out there to get enough free points on his first serve,” Petchey said.
“That’s the bottom line. I mean, Novak is going to make so many returns and he’s going to get free points. Listen, it’s easy for me to say, but Jordan is going to have to actually extend rallies rather than go for it.
“There’s a tendency against Novak for people to say ‘you’ve just got to go early in the rally and try and hit him early.’
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“I think he’s actually got to try and extend him. He’s got to try and test him physically. He’s got to use his drop shot and pull him off the baseline.
“He can’t just trade all day long, but I don’t think Jordan needs to go out there and start just swinging for the hills early on and hurt his own chances.
“He needs to stick to his own DNA.”
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