Thanasi Kokkinakis soars back into the world’s top 100 after clinching an ATP Challenger singles title in America.
Sarasota, USA, 15 April 2024 | Leigh Rogers
It has been a massive week in Australian tennis.
The Billie Jean King Cup competition returned to Aussie soil for the first time in nearly five years, with the Australian team recording a 4-0 clean sweep against Mexico in Brisbane.
The tie marked Sam Stosur’s first as Australian captain and saw the team rally behind Storm Hunter, after the world No.3 doubles star suffered a devastating injury.
> READ: Australian team motivated to win for Hunter
Australia’s top-ranked men competed at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monte Carlo, where Alex de Minaur advanced to his first clay-court quarterfinal at this level. His run also marked the best result by an Australian at the tournament in 25 years.
Alexei Popyrin rewrote some history of his own in Monte Carlo, becoming the first Australian in 45 years to score a top-10 singles win at the tournament.
Elsewhere, Thanasi Kokkinakis produced an impressive run at an ATP Challenger event in Sarasota, clinching his first clay-court singles title in almost three years.
While five Australian wheelchair athletes won ITF titles this week, included world No.5 Heath Davidson, who secured his biggest doubles title in more than three years.
This week’s most outstanding performers include:
Daria Saville: The 30-year-old played a starring role in Australia’s 4-0 victory against Mexico in a Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie in Brisbane, winning her opening singles match and then claiming the doubles rubber alongside Ellen Perez.
> READ: Luke and Daria Saville redefining “couple goals”
Taylah Preston: The 18-year-old impressed at the Billie Jean King Cup, becoming the first Australian teen to win their debut singles match in the competition since Ash Barty in 2013.
Arina Rodionova: The 34-year-old scored her first victory in the Billie Jean King Cup competition, winning the opening singles rubber in Australia’s victory against Mexico in Brisbane.
> READ: Former Australian representatives reunite at Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie in Brisbane
Alex de Minaur: The 25-year-old recorded his career-best result at an ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event, progressing to the singles quarterfinals in Monte Carlo (Monaco).
Alexei Popyrin: The 24-year-old advanced to the third round in singles at the ATP Masters 1000 event in…
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