Kokkinakis rocks Rublev to reach quarter-finals
Thanasi Kokkinakis has sent his home-city fans into raptures with a rousing win over top seed Andrey Rublev to keep his Adelaide International 2 title defence very much on track.
Thanasi Kokkinakis is through to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International. Photo: AAP Image/Matt Turner
Kokkinakis overcame an explosive first-set exchange with the chair umpire and the loss of the second set to upset the world No.6 with a sublime serving display on Wednesday night.
The South Australian crowd favourite rocketed down 17 aces to storm into the quarter-finals with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win before a sellout crowd at Memorial Drive.
“It’s a big part of my game. If I’m serving well, I feel like I have a chance to beat a lot of guys,” a jubilant Kokkinakis said.
Under huge pressure to defend the rankings points after winning his maiden ATP Tour title last year in his birthplace, Kokkinakis is set to at least remain in the top 100 after once again reaching the quarter-finals at the final Australian Open lead-up event.
“I’ve had my best memories on this court,” he said.
“Last year was an incredible feeling, something that you only dream of as a kid.
“To play in front on you guys in this atmosphere every night is incredible. Thank you.
“He hits the shit out of the ball. He’s a hell of a player, doing big things already and I’m stoked I got one of my biggest wins in front of you guys. So that’s awesome.”
Kokkinakis will play Miomir Kecmanovic for a place in the last four after the Serb eliminated fellow Australian Jason Kubler 5-7 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.
Compatriot John Millman will turn his attention to an Australian Open wildcard crack after bowing out earlier in the second round on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old, who had a rough year on tour in 2022, was ousted 6-3 6-3 by world No.32 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Davidovich Fokina will meet fellow Spaniard and fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals after he eliminated Dutchman Robin Hasse 6-3 3-6 6-3.
In the women’s draw, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova is through to the quarter-finals after Qinwen Zheng pulled the pin with a leg problem during their second round match.
The Chinese world No.30 retired on Wednesday after dropping the first set 6-7 (6-8) and squandering three set points in the tiebreaker.
She called for the trainer after the set and opted not to continue.
Kvitova will meet world No.8 Daria Kasatkina in the last eight after the Russian beat Barbora Krejcikova 6-2 7-5.
