THANASI Kokkinakis became the sixth Australian to advance to round two of the 2024 Australian Open men’s draw, after a four-hour slog at John Cain Arena yesterday. The local favourite came from behind to beat world number 37 Sebastian Ofner in a five set thriller, 7-6, 2-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6.

Having overcome career threatening injuries and a host of poor luck of late, the 27-year-old showcased every bit of his resilience to win the day three showdown. He stood firm in the face of Ofner’s 77 winners and fought back from two sets to one down to take the match in a fifth set tiebreak (10-8).

Through the fire, Kokkinakis produced 43 winners of his own, though Ofner’s aggression also proved his downfall with a count of 61 unforced errors. “Weather[ing] the storm” was the key to victory for the world number 80, who is edging back towards to a career-best rank (65).

“I was just trying to stay composed,” Kokkinakis said post-match. “I know in five sets there’s so many sort of mini-matches in between the actual match, so you just have to stay level, pick and choose when to use the crowd and when to use your energy.”

The result marked Kokkinakis’ first top 50 win at Melbourne Park since his breakout performance in the 2015 first round. There, he upset then world number 13 Ernests Gulbis. Next, he faces current world number 13 Grigor Dimitrov, who took out the Brisbane International earlier this year.

With Max Purcell also advancing on day three, the Aussie contingent remains strong in the men’s draw. Alex de Minaur is the top ranked local hope, joined by Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell, and Jordan Thompson. It was Purcell’s maiden main draw win at the tournament.

Elsewhere yesterday, all seeds bar 31st-ranked Kazakh Alexander Bublik progressed to round two. The enigmatic 26-year-old fell to Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6, making for one of the more prominent first round upsets.

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz had no such troubles in dispatching French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-6, 6-1, 6-2, while fellow top 10 talents Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev also made their way through to the next stage. After the heat of day three, the fourth day looks like being rain-affected.

>> Daily recaps: Day 1 | Day 2

RESULTS:
2024 Australian Open, Day 3

H. Rune (8) def. Y. Nishioka 6-2. 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
C. Alcaraz (2) def. R. Gasquet 7-6, 6-1, 6-2
C. Ruud (11) def. A. Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
A. Zverev (6) def. D. Koepfer 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
G. Dimitrov (13) def. M. Fucsovics 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2
T. Kokkinakis def. S. Ofner 7-6, 2-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6
M. Purcell def. M. Valkusz (Q) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
T. Paul (14) def. G. Barrere 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
C. Norrie (19) def. J. Varillas 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
J. Shang (WC) def. M. McDonald 6-3, 1-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
A. Michelsen def. J. McCabe (WC) 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
L. Sonego def. D. Evans 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6
G. Zeppieri (Q) def. D. Lajovic 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
S. Nagal (Q) def. A. Bublik (31) 6-4, 6-2, 7-6
T. Griekspoor (28) def. R. Safiullin 2-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
J. Draper def. M. Giron 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
A. Fils def. J. Vesely 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3
J. Lehecka (32) def. B. Zapata Miralles 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
L. Klein (Q) def. S. Kwon 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
A. Cazaux def. L. Djere 6-2, 6-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2