Thanasi Kokkinakis stuns Stefanos Tsitsipas in four-hour showdown at US Open
Australian giant killer Thanasi Kokkinakis has pulled off a major US Open shock, eliminating Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas in round one in New York.
Australian giant killer Thanasi Kokkinakis has pulled off a major US Open shock, eliminating Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas in round one in New York.
Kokkinakis outlasted the world No.11 Tsitsipas to win 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 over four hours to reach the second round.
It is the biggest name win of the career for Kokkinakis, who has often found himself drawn against some of the stars of the sport when he arrives at a grand slam.
The Aussie fired down 17 aces and won four of eight break points to prevail on the Grandstand court where the large crowd had thrown their weight behind the underdog.
“Incredible. You guys were unbelievable. He’s 11 in the world and I felt all the support,” Kokkinakis said courtside afterwards.
“Hell of a player. I had a five-set battle with him a couple years ago at the Australian Open. I was expecting a war. It was physical out there.
“I have a tendency to sometimes drag these matches on. I tried to stay focus and stay the course. I tried to play every point. I had a lot of tight losses when I’ve been in winning positions. That was just all relief and mental I would say. I’m super excited.”
He was not the only Australian to progress to the second round.
Alex de Minaur beat Marcos Giron in four sets, while Jordan Thompson swept through in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 over Frenchman Constant Lestienne. Tristan Schoolkate came from two sets down to beat Japan’s Taro Daniel 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4, and Rinky Hijikata beat Alejandro Fokina across four sets.
There could be several more Australians to join them in round two with Alex de Minaur, Max Purcell, Alex Vukic, James Duckworth and Chris O’Connell all due on court today.
There was less luck on the women’s draw as Daria Saville and Taylah Preston both suffered first round defeats.
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