Thanasi Kokkinakis has caused a major upset, defeating world number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas on a successful day for Australia at the US Open.
The match lasted over four hours in New York’s extreme heat, during which the Aussie triumphed in four sets, defeating the Greek player 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the second round.
The 28-year-old entered the match as the underdog but drew energy from the supportive crowd, and went on to secure the biggest Grand Slam victory of his career.
“A massive relief,” he said. “Super happy, super pumped. It’s been well documented I’ve had some tight ones, but I’m starting to get on the winning side of them now.”
The two have faced each other once before, at the 2021 Australian Open, where Tsitsipas emerged victorious.
“I had a five-set battle with him a couple of years ago at the Australian Open and I was expecting a war,” Kokkinakis said in his post-match interview.
Kokkinakis is set to face Portuguese player Nuno Borges in his second-round match.
Alex De Minaur has made his return from injury with a first round win against American Marcos Giron.
The 10th seed sustained a hip cartilage tear in his fourth round Wimbledon victory against Arthur Fils in July. He withdrew from the tournament and missed out on playing singles at the Olympics, making one appearance in a doubles match.
The Aussie, who has not played a singles match in more than six weeks, defeated the American in four sets, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
The 25-year-old secured breaks midway through the first set and later in the second, enabling him to win the first two sets. However, his lack of recent match fitness became apparent in the third, allowing Giron to claim the set.
Despite this, De Minaur eventually wore Giron down and served out the match.
De Minaur is set to face Finland’s Otto Virtanen in the second round of the US Open.
Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate has progressed through to the next round, after winning his Grand Slam main-draw debut against Japan’s Taro Daniel.
The 23-year-old took advantage of his wildcard entry and defeated his opponent in five sets, 4-6 4-6 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4.
The Aussie struggled in the first two sets of the match but pushed through, winning the match in three hours and 49 minutes.
“I was down for a lot of the match,” he said. “I was down a break in the third set and down a break in the fourth set. Then when I broke in the first game of the fifth set, that fifth set felt like it went forever. To finally be one step ahead, it was probably three and a half hours after winning the first game.”
The world number 193 showed his exciting potential throughout the match, firing 18 aces and tallying 54 winners in total to beat an opponent eight years his senior and ranked 88th in the world.
“It’s a great result and I’m proud, but the tournament’s not finished,” Schoolkate said. “Hopefully I can keep it rolling.”
Schoolkate is set to face world number 65, Jakub Mensik, on Friday.
Jordan Thompson defeated his French opponent, Constant Lestienne, in straight sets, firing 11 aces and committing only one double fault. Thompson is now set to face the world number 7 Hubert Hurcacz in the second round of the US Open.
Australian Marc Purcell secured a straight-sets victory over fellow Aussie Aleksandar Vukic. Purcell’s second-round opponent has yet to be determined.
Despite the notable triumphs at the US Open, some Australians have faced losses. In the men’s draw, Li Tu was defeated by world number 3 Carlos Alcaraz, and James Duckworth also exited the competition early.
On the women’s side, Daria Saville had a disappointing exit, losing against Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara, who is ranked 217 in the world. Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston were also among those who did not advance past their initial rounds, while Destanee Aiava was eliminated by world number four Elena Rybakina.
Photo: Arthur Ashe Stadium with the roof closed by Carine06 is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.
