Amid a flurry of withdrawals, Thanasi Kokkinakis found an unexpected path to the Madrid Open's main draw, ready to make his mark.
The 2023 Madrid Open has witnessed an unusual number of withdrawals, with over 15 players pulling out of the competition. As a result, several players who would typically be limited to qualifying matches have secured spots in the ATP main draw, including Thanasi Kokkinakis.
This comes as a much-needed opportunity for Kokkinakis, who has faced two heart-wrenching losses earlier in the year, first to Andy Murray at the Australian Open, and then to Hubert Hurkacz at the Miami Open. Despite these setbacks, the gifted Australian now has a chance to turn the tide of his season.
Kokkinakis hasn't been particularly dominant on clay courts in the past. In fact, he only won two of the five matches he played on clay last year, with a scant six matches on the surface between 2017 and 2019.
However, his 2021 ATP Challenger title on clay highlights his potential to excel on this challenging surface and the 2023 Madrid Open provides Kokkinakis with the perfect platform to display his skills at the ATP Masters 1000 level.
The tournament draw has also been kind to Kokkinakis, pairing him against Jaume Munar in the first round, a potentially manageable opponent despite Munar's preference for clay courts. If victorious, Kokkinakis would then face 30th-seeded Tallon Griekspoor, giving him a solid chance to advance to the third round in Madrid.
The Australian has been given a golden opportunity to prove himself on the grand stage of the Madrid Open. With a favorable draw and possibly a renewed sense of determination, this could be the turning point that revitalizes his season.
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