Thanasi Kokkinakis is among 10 Australian men scheduled to compete on day five at US Open 2024.
New York, USA, 29 August 2024 | Leigh Rogers
The incredible strength and depth in Australian men’s tennis has been on show for the world to see at this year’s US Open.
From the 45-year high of 12 main-draw singles competitors, eight of them progressed to the second round. This was the most Australian men to reach this stage at the tournament since 1976.
Six of these record-breaking Aussie players are back in action on day five at Flushing Meadows, looking to secure a spot in the third round.
World No.10 Alex de Minaur leads the Aussie charge, relieved he has recovered from a hip injury to compete at the final Grand Slam of the season.
“I’ve done my best to get back on the court and just feel very happy that I’m back on court and able to compete,” said the 25-year-old from Sydney.
De Minaur meets Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen, a 23-year-old ranked world No.125 and looking to advance to a Grand Slam third round for the first time in his career.
Max Purcell takes on world No.14 and American hope Tommy Paul, while Jordan Thompson has his sights set on scoring a first top-10 win at Grand Slam level when he meets world No.7 Hubert Hurkacz.
Thompson is anticipating “a very tough day at the office” in his first career meeting with the towering Pole.
“He’s got one of the best serves on the tour,” said world No.32 Thompson. “He wins a lot of matches with that weapon and obviously can play from the back as well. He’s a quality top-10 player.”
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Tristan Schoolkate could set up an all-Australian showdown in the third round – but first, each need to navigate past tricky opponents.
Kokkinakis, who eliminated 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round, faces world No.34 Nuno Borges.
The 27-year-old from Portugal, who is in career-best form, won their only previous meeting in March earlier this year. However, world No.82 Kokkinakis is feeling confident about his chances.
“I really do back my game when I’m healthy and locked in,” he told Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, Schoolkate, a 23-year-old wildcard ranked No.193 and competing in his first Grand Slam main draw, meets Czech teen Jakub Mensik.
“I’ve got nothing to lose,” Schoolkate said of his mindset ahead of facing the fast-rising world No.65. “I’m one of the lowest-ranked guys in the draw, so I’m just taking it as it…
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