Jordan Thompson was the first player Nadal beat at Roland Garros this year and the Australian followed Nadal in lifting a trophy in Surbiton south of London on grass.
Looking much happier on the 'green stuff' which suits his attacking instincts, Sydneysider Thompson defeated American Denis Kudla 7-5 6-3 to take the Challenger title. Though it's nominally a second-tier event, it's a tournament which brought Andy Murray out to play this week and has now provided a much-needed boost for the 28-year-old Thompson, who's not had the best of seasons.
He said:
"Definitely, the clay court swing was a bit rough for me so I was really keen to get started on the green stuff, and it couldn't have started any better. "It's awesome. It's been a good week and a high-quality match today."
Kudla reckoned Thompson had played a "hell of a match" and suggested the Australian "deserves to now buy me a beer." Thompson promised he would do just that before going off to Nottingham for his next pre-Wimbledon outing.