Thanasi Kokkinakis began his Adelaide International campaign with an emotional and hard-fought victory, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the opening round on Monday, January 6.
The Australian, who claimed his sole ATP Tour title at the same venue in 2022, was buoyed by the energy of his home crowd at Memorial Drive.
“Match aside, just walking out here kind of gets me emotional, to be honest. It’s crazy,” Kokkinakis said.
“It’s pretty surreal to think a place where you grew up playing and training so many hours, you come out here and all these people are coming to watch you.”
Kokkinakis generated 12 break points during the match and converted three. However, Nishioka fought back in the second set, saving all three break points he faced and capitalising on his sole opportunity to force a decider.
In the final set, Kokkinakis drew strength from the crowd’s support to secure victory and book a second-round clash with either eighth seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or fellow Australian Tristan Schoolkate.
Source: ATP Tour
