Adelaide International 2022: Thanasi Kokkinakis saves two match points to beat Marin Cilic and make second career ATP final

Thanasi Kokkinakis has completed an extraordinary semi-final win over Marin Cilic to advance to the Adelaide International Two final

Thanasi Kokkinakis will have the chance to win his maiden ATP Tour singles title on Saturday night in his home city.

In a scenario maybe not even Kokkinakis thought was within reach a fortnight ago, the comeback kid cut down another big-name star to qualify for the Adelaide International Two final.

Marin Cilic – the 2014 US Open champion and No.4 seed this week – was Kokkinakis’ latest victim in a 6-2 3-6 7-6(12-10) rollercoaster, as he surpassed last week’s already-impressive semi-final run.

It took until Kokkinakis’ seventh match point and for a Cilic forehand to find the net for him to survive, after he couldn’t convert four in a row earlier in the tie-break.

The Croatian had two match points of his own that came and went, with Kokkinakis later revealing he briefly contemplated the public mocking he would have copped as a “choke artist” if he lost.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is through to his second career ATP Tour final and first in almost five years. Picture: Getty Images

Fifteen minutes of Cilic brilliance threatened to rip the match from Kokkinakis’ grasp but the South Australian somehow snatched back control to book his second career ATP final.

“It’s right up there (in my career highlights); to do it in Adelaide as well, just after the last few years I’ve had,” Kokkinakis said.

“It’s probably No.1, who knows? I’ve got to think back but I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I’ve beaten quality players last week and this week and I’m just proud of my consistency and proud of my mental effort – I’m stoked.”

Late-blooming Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech is now all that stands between Kokkinakis and a dream Adelaide title ahead of the Australian Open.

Cilic produced a magnificent burst of shot-making at the end of a competitive second set that briefly and wildly swung the contest.

Marin Cilic suffered an agonising semi-final defeat in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Kokkinakis recovered from 15-40 in the eighth game of the second set, only for Cilic to belt back-to-back winners – one off each wing – to finally break his younger opponent.

The set was over a game later but Cilic wasn’t done.

He heaped the pressure on Kokkinakis again to start the third set, then the local favourite dumped a forehand in the net and double-faulted to hand over another break.

Playing his third three-setter in as many days and after a glorious fortnight, Kokkinakis had every right to roll over – but he refused to take the easy option.

Cilic fluffed a routine overhead to start the fourth game of the final set and that proved the impetus for Kokkinakis to rise again.

Thanasi Kokkinakis already rates this week in Adelaide among his career highlights. Picture: Getty Images

It took until Kokkinakis’ fourth break-back opportunity of the game to draw level, after Cilic sent down a series of service bombs to temporarily keep him at bay.

There were still more tests for Kokkinakis to pass, when he faced consecutive break points three games later.

With Cilic having blasted his way to the net, Kokkinakis’ response was to hammer a highlight-reel backhand down-the-line winner from two metres beyond the baseline.

An ace followed and soon he was out of trouble.

Even more impressive was Kokkinakis’ ability to absorb and negotiate a series of tense moments in the tie-break as he made Saturday’s final.

Thanasi Kokkinakis will meet France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the Adelaide singles final. Picture: Getty Images

The boy who recalls catching a stray tennis ball from French star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga while watching from The Drive stands is all grown up and hell-bent on creating new memories.

“It’d be massive (to win the title). It’s not the be-all and end-all – there’s plenty of great players who have never won a title – but, for sure, I’m thinking about it,” Kokkinakis said.

“To come out and play good matches and back it up; that’s the biggest thing and that was the question mark with me.

“I think people knew I could play the odd good match, but to do it consistently and to back it up, yeah, it’s great. It’s obviously set me up for a real good position in the year.

“I couldn’t be prouder with how I’ve started and just all the work behind the scenes that everyone – my coaches, family and trainers – (has done) to help me be able to produce this tennis on a big stage.”