Thanasi Kokkinakis Shocks Stefanos Tsitsipas in US Open 2024 Opening Round

Thanasi Kokkinakis achieved a remarkable victory in the opening round of the US Open 2024 men’s singles competition.

The 28-year-old Australian tennis player defeated world No.11 Stefanos Tsitsipas at Flushing Meadows with a score of 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

In his post-match interview, Kokkinakis reflected on the match, stating, “I had a five-set battle with him a couple of years ago at the Australian Open and I was expecting a war.” He described the match as physical and expressed his determination to remain focused on each point.

This victory marks only Kokkinakis’ second main-draw win at Flushing Meadows, with his previous win occurring in 2019. He expressed surprise about his performance at the US Open, considering that the venue should suit his playing style.

Kokkinakis credited a recent training block in Florida for his high level of play, describing the win as his greatest achievement at a Grand Slam event. He stated, “A lot of hard work has gone into it, just staying positive and competing my nuts off really.”.

After securing this significant win, Kokkinakis celebrated by falling onto his back, acknowledging that it might be embarrassing to do so after a first-round match but emphasizing the emotional relief it brought him.

This marks Kokkinakis’ third victory over a top-20 player in a Grand Slam tournament, having previously defeated world No.13 Ernests Gulbis at the Australian Open in 2015 and winning a recent match at Wimbledon.

In the following round, Kokkinakis is set to face world No.34 Nuno Borges from Portugal. He joins fellow Australians Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, Max Purcell, and Tristan Schoolkate, all of whom achieved victories on the same day at Flushing Meadows.

Tristan Schoolkate celebrated his first Grand Slam main-draw win after a thrilling five-set match against Japan’s Taro Daniel.