Aussie favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis stages steely comeback to record his first top-50 singles win at the Australian Open since 2015.
Melbourne, Australia , 16 January 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Nine years have passed since a teenage Thanasi Kokkinakis scored a stunning five-set victory at Australian Open 2015.
His emotional reaction after upsetting world No.13 Ernests Gulbis โ which memorably included celebrating with passionate Aussie fansย at Court 3 โ remains one of the 27-year-oldโs favourite memories.
Since then, thereโs been heartbreak aplenty both on and off the court at the Melbourne Park. From rehabbing career-threatening injuries to crushing losses and difficult draws that have tested his resolve.
However, the world No.80โsย perseverance has finally been rewarded in the opening round at Australian Open 2024.
Kokkinakisโ resilience was on show this evening at John Cain Arena, where he staged an incredible comeback to record a 7-6(1) 2-6 6-7(4) 6-1 7-6(8) victory against world No.37 Sebastian Ofner.
He withstood a barrage of 77 winners from the Austrian, while tallying 43 of his own, to triumph in four hours and 18 minutes.
โUsually Iโm the one kind of dictating and hitting more winners hopefully than my opponent,โ Kokkinakis noted. โSometimes he was kind of taking it to me, and I got a little passive.
โIt was just a battle โฆ He showed why he is a 30-something in the world player. Heโs very good.โ
It snaps a three-match losing streak in Australian Open five-set battles, stretching back to his major breakthrough in 2015, and is Kokkinakisโ first top-50 singles win at the tournament since then too.
โI know itโs a first round, but this one means a lot,โ Kokkinakis said.
Kokkinakisโ reward is a second-round showdown with world No.13 Grigor Dimitrov. The in-form Bulgarian is on a six-match winning streak this summer after scooping the Brisbane International title.
โGrigor is a hell of a player. Heโs been doing this for a while and heโs in some great form right now,โ Kokkinakis acknowledged.
โBut I back myself. Iโve beaten higher-ranked players before, Iโve lost to lower-ranked players. Itโs a number, itโs about coming out on the day and playing my best tennis, so hopefully I can do that.โ
Earlier today, Max Purcell recorded his first main-draw singles win at the Australian Open. The world No.45 made his long-awaited breakthrough with a four-set victory over…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australiaโฆ