Jordan Thompson has lashed officials for a scheduling clash that left his coach having to watch another charge while the Australian was carving out the biggest win of his grand slam career.
Thompson ousted Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 7-5 in the biggest upset of the US Open thus far to storm into the last 32 in New York for a second time.
But the 30-year-old was filthy his coach, one-time Australian No.1 Marinko Matosevic, had to choose between watching him and fellow Sydneysider Chris O'Connell, who he also mentors.
Thompson and O'Connell, who also progressed to the third round with a 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory Italian Mattia Bellucci, were both scheduled as the first matches on day four starting at 11am.
With Matosevic cheering on O'Connell on court 11, Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt sat in Thompson's box on show court 17.
"You can thank the schedule-makers for that one," he said of not having his coach in support.
"I mean, we've only been working together and are the only two (players) that share a coach for 20 months.
"It's happened a few times. They just don't seem to give a s***. So just too good.
"Got to clap the ATP for that one, or whoever makes the schedule, but it's happened four or five times, elsewhere and slams.
"It feels like they just don't care."
Thompson said officials "should be" well aware of the rare double-coaching situation as Matosevic had requested for his two players not to be on court at the same time.
"He said it again but he shouldn't need to say it again," Thompson said.
"It's up to them, but lucky I had Rusty (Hewitt) there and I had to give him the celebration at the end."
But not having his coach on deck couldn't overshadow Thompson's mighty performance.
The seventh-seeded Hurkacz leads the tour for aces in 2024 and was the highest-ranked player to crash out of the men's event.
"A good day at the office," Thompson said.
"Down early in the first, he served for the first set and he's got one of the best serves on tour.
"So to turn it around like I did was pretty impressive, even if I say so myself."
Thompson's reward is a chance to match his grand slam-best run to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows four years ago.
He will play world No.30 Matteo Arnaldi, a player ranked just two spots above him.
"It's an opportunity for both of us. There's no denying that," Thompson said.
"In saying that he looked like he cruised through today and he's been playing good tennis.
"He made semis at the (Montreal) Masters a couple of weeks ago so it'll be another tough battle."
