Kokkinakis stuns top-seeded Rublev to stay perfect in Adelaide

| by Zlatko Vodenicharov

It seems that Thanasi Kokkinakis loves the Adelaide International 2 event as he never lost a match at it.

Last year, when the event was introduced for the first time, the Australian won as a wild card after beating the second-seeded John Isner and no. 4 Marin Cilic along the way. This year, Kokkinakis writes a similar story at the 2023 Adelaide International 2.

2023 Adelaide International 2 ATP Prize Money & Points Overview - $642,735
2023 Adelaide International 2 ATP Prize Money & Points Overview - $642,735

Once again, he received a wild card and started well in the first round against compatriot Alexei Popyrin. In the second round, he faced the top-seeded Andrey Rublev, who he never met before.

The Australian started well in the first set. He got the first break and thanks to hitting 5 aces and winning 89% of points after his first serve, comfortably won the first set 6-4.

In the second set, the Russian also showed his qualities. This time, he got the first break and it seemed that the set will follow the same structure as the first one. But this time, it was a bit different. Kokkinakis had two chances to break back, but after he couldn't use those, Rublev won the second set 6-3.

The third set was very similar to the first one. Kokkinakis got and early break and showed a serving masterclass as he hit 8 aces, cruising towards a victory in an hour and 59 minutes, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

He will play against Miomir Kecmanovic in the quarterfinal as he can extended his winning streak at this event even further.

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