Thanasi Kokkinakis, who faces top-seeded Novak Djokovic in a second-round singles clash, is one of nine Australians scheduled to compete on day three at Wimbledon 2022.
London, Great Britain, 29 June 2022 | Leigh Rogers
A determined Thanasi Kokkinakis has his sights set on eliminating three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic today at Wimbledon.
“It’s obviously going to be a really tough challenge,” Kokkinakis said ahead of their second-round meeting at Centre Court. “I’m probably not the favourite, let’s put it that way.”
Djokovic has only lost to an unseeded opponent at Wimbledon once in his record-breaking career, beaten by former world No.1 Marat Safin in the 2008 second round.
Yet Kokkinakis is excited for the opportunity to try and snap Djokovic’s imposing 47-match winning streak against unseeded opponents at Grand Slam level.
“If you do get the opportunity to step up against one of the greatest of all time, it’s a dream really,” Kokkinakis said. “You want to play on those from those big courts and that big atmosphere.
“It’s going to be good fun out there and I’m going to swing free hopefully and play my game. He’s a brick wall, so you … have got to beat him. He’s not going to beat himself. So that’s going to be fun.”
Kokkinakis, who will feature in both singles and doubles, is one of nine Australians scheduled to compete on day three at the All England Club.
Play begins from 8pm AEST and is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network and Stan Sport.
Aussies in action:
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [1] Novak Djokovic (POL)
Gentlemen’s singles, second round, Centre Court, first match (from 10.30pm AEST)
World No.79 Kokkinakis has progressed to Wimbledon’s second round for the first time in his career, where he’ll face six-time champion Djokovic. “(I) can’t wait for the opportunity,” said the 26-year-old from Adelaide. The resurgent Kokkinakis is seeking to record his first top-10 win at Grand Slam level. World No.3 Djokovic is currently on a 22-match winning streak at the tournament, where the 35-year-old also owns a 15-1 career record in second-round matches.
Head-to-head record: Djokovic leads 1-0
Last meeting: Djokovic won 6-4 6-4 6-4 (Roland Garros, May 2015)
> VIEW: Full Wimbledon 2022 gentlemen’s singles draw
John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Pedro Martinez (ESP) v Andrey Golubev (KAZ)/Denys Molchanov (UKR)
Gentlemen’s doubles, first round, Court 5, first match…
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