Adelaide International 2022: Hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis advances to second round with win over Benoit Paire

Thanasi Kokkinakis’ rich vein of form has continued with a straight-sets victory over Benoit Paire at Adelaide International Two

Same city, more winning.

Thanasi Kokkinakis picked up where he left off at last week’s first Adelaide International with another impressive victory in the second edition of his hometown tournament.

Talented but erratic Frenchman Benoit Paire posed a threat to Kokkinakis’ chances of maintaining his momentum.

But the South Australian, fresh from a semi-final run only days ago, delivered a mature performance as Paire imploded from midway through the opening set in a 6-4 6-0 result.

Last week’s display saw Kokkinakis climb 26 places and return to the top 150 for the first time in three years at No.145, and his ranking will rise again.

“Playing Paire was always going to be a tricky one. You never know what you’re going to get,” Kokkinakis said.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is racking up wins in Adelaide to start the tennis year. Getty Images

“(He’s) super talented, can pull shots from anywhere – like he did in that last game – so you kind of have to weather the storm a little bit.

“But after a good run last week, I was pretty knackered – I’m not going to lie – but I thought another one in my hometown was a perfect situation.

“It was kind of a win-win for me almost. If I won, perfect, I get more matches. If not, I get to Melbourne and get to prepare for Aussie Open, but I’m stoked with the win.”

Kokkinakis reeled off 15-straight points on serve at one stage and eventually 19 of 20 to give himself a one-set edge, with Paire’s frustration boiling over and his resistance waning.

No statistic better summed up the opening set’s events than Kokkinakis committing only two unforced errors compared to 45th-ranked Paire’s 20.

The break that proved the turning point came about when Paire tried an ill-advised drop shot in the seventh game that popped up for Kokkinakis to put a simple forehand away.

Benoit Paire became increasingly frustrated as the match wore on. Picture: Getty Images

Paire won just one more game for the night, with his effort seriously questionable down the stretch, as is too often the case.

From the moment he entered that mindset, he began rushing between points on serve, picked up a code violation and even packed his racquet bag ahead of what proved the final game.

One last loose backhand from Paire sealed Kokkinakis’ passage into round two, where he will face towering American second seed John Isner in what should be a far sterner test.

“Me and John are actually pretty close – we were in Laver Cup together a few years back,” Kokkinakis said.

“He’s a good dude. Obviously, he’s a giant and has one of the best, if not the best, serve on tour. Hopefully I’ll get a couple of chances and when I get them, I’ve got to be there to take them.

“I’ve got to take care of my serve, first and foremost, and just keep grinding away. It’s tough. Sometimes he takes the racquet out of your hand but we’ll see what happens.”

Originally published as Adelaide International 2022: Hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis advances to second round with win over Benoit Paire