Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE) celebrates after his match against Thanasi KOKKINAKIS (AUS) on Rod Laver Arena during Day 4 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Thursday, February 11, 2021 MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ MARK PETERSON
World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to fight for a third round spot at the Australian Open, eventually edging past Aussie wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4 in Melbourne today.
267th-ranked Greek-Australian Kokkinakis, who has been plagued with injury throughout his career, looked set to cause an upset when he forced the match into a fifth set, after winning an amazing tiebreak, but Tsitsipas eventually prevailed in the fifth game and held on to win a match that lasted four hours and 32 minutes.
“I just want to have an ice bath right now,” said an exhausted Tsitsipas after the win.
“He is a great competitor, a great fighter and it was very difficult facing him today. He has a great serve and all the weapons from the baseline.
“Was a hell of a day.”
Tsitispas will meet Sweden’s Mikael Ymer for a place in the fourth round.
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