Hometown hero makes bright start in City of Churches
HOMETOWN hero Thanasi Kokkinakis has made a successful start to his 2025 Adelaide International campaign, downing Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
The 2022 event winner certainly did not have it all his own way, suffering a lapse in concentration in the second set after seeming to be in total control.
It was then a different story in the final set, with the Aussie breaking twice for a 5-1 lead, and although the Japanese star had a bit of a fightback Kokkinakis ultimately prevailed in just over two hours.
Kokkinakis dominated on the aces front, blasting 15 aces to Nishioka’s four. However he was not strong when it came to converting break points, only converting three of his 12 chances.
“I never like when it’s going too well, because I’m just kind of waiting for something bad to happen – and it kind of did,” Kokkinakis said with a smile.
“It could have been maybe a straight-sets match — but that’s tennis — and he fought and played some good tennis. Then you guys lifted me in that third set.”
Kokkinakis’ next opponent may be another Aussie, with his next opponent set to be either Aussie wildcard Tristan Schoolkate, or Argentinian eighth seed Tomas Etcheverry, who face off on centre court tonight.
It was a pretty good day overall for the Australians, with fellow Aussie Christopher O’Connell also winning his first match, beating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 7-6.
Other winners yesterday included Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who beat ninth seed Zhizhen Zhang in straight sets, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat countryman Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets.
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL ATP RESULTS: JANUARY 6
Main Draw
Denis Shapovalov defeated Zhizhen Zhang (9) 6-3, -4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 6-2
Thanasi Kokkinakis (WC) defeated Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Christopher O’Connell defeated Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 7-6
Qualifying
Adam Walton defeated Rinky Hijikata (3) 1-6, 7-6, 6-4
Benjamin Bonzi (4) defeated James McCabe (WC) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
James Duckworth (7) defeated Jacob Bradshaw (WC) 6-2, 6-2
Yannick Hanfmann defeated Manuel Guinard (Alt) 7-6, 6-3
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