Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed a five-set victory in the first round of the French Open, advancing onto the second.
After four-and-a-quarter hours playing in the heat in Paris’ Roland Garros against French player Terence Atmane, Kokkinakis won 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Even playing with his chronic shoulder injury, Kokkinakis said he was “happy with a very consistent match.”
His injury had caused Kokkinakis some concern ahead of the match. “To come back after such little tennis on a grand stage and in these conditions against a good player from France, it’s probably my best mental effort,” he said.
“Even a few days ago there was talks that I wasn’t sure if I’d play. I had some people flying in, and I told them to stay home, because I didn’t want to play a few games and something go bad.
“To be honest. I was very scared, very nervous to go out there – but when I got going, I just played on energy.”
Australians Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina were also first round winners.
Source: ABC News
