Rising Australian star Aleksandar Vukic has been joined by Thanasi Kokkinakis in the last 16 of the ATP event in Atlanta, the first of the North American summer hard-court swing.
Atlanta, United States, 25 July 2023 | Matt Trollope
Atlanta, USA
Thanasi Kokkinakis won a dramatic encounter against Gael Monfils to join Aleksandar Vukic in the second round of the ATP tournament in Atlanta.
After dropping the first set, Kokkinakis rebounded from 0-4 and 3-5 in the final-set tiebreak to record a 1-6 6-3 7-6(5) triumph.
Kokkinakis will play fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur, the defending champion, for a place in the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Monday, world No.82 Vukic set up a second-round meeting with fourth seed Yoshihito Nishioka at the US hard-court tournament.
The Australian progressed thanks to a 7-6(5) 6-3 win over American wildcard Ethan Quinn.
Vukic has now won 39 matches this year and is at a career-high ranking.
Another Australian, James Duckworth, fell in three sets to fellow qualifier Lloyd Harris, the former world No.31 on the comeback trail from injury.
Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell kick off their Atlanta campaigns in the first round on Tuesday.
In doubles, third seeds John Peers and Marcelo Melo opened their Atlanta campaign with a straight-sets win over Luis David Martinez and Reese Stalder.
Aussies in action – Atlanta
RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) d Ethan Quinn (USA) 7-6(5) 6-3
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d [WC] Gael Monfils (FRA) 1-6 6-3 7-6(5)
[Q] Lloyd Harris (RSA) d [Q] James Duckworth (AUS) 3-6 6-3 6-2
Men’s doubles, first round
John Peers (AUS)/Marcelo Melo (BRA) d Luis David Martinez (VEN)/Reese Stalder (USA) 6-1 7-6(6)
COMING UP
Men’s singles, second round
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [4] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [2] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Men’s singles, first round
Max Purcell (AUS) v Brandon Nakashima (USA)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Men’s doubles, quarterfinals
John Peers (AUS)/Marcelo Melo (BRA) v TBC
Umag, Croatia
On clay in Croatia, Alexei Popyrin snapped a three-match losing streak to reach the second round of the 250-level tournament in Umag.
Popyrin, the world No.90, advanced thanks to a 6-4 7-5 win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
The 23-year-old will face third seed Sebastian Ofner for a shot at his first tour-level quarterfinal since Adelaide in January.
Christopher O’Connell is also in the draw; the fifth seed will face Zsombor…
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