Thanasi Kokkinakis “can’t wait” after breaking his Wimbledon hoodoo to create a second-round box office with three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Five long years since his last appearance at the All England Club, Kokkinakis continued his 2022 revival with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-5 victory over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak on Monday.
After two previous defeats in the first round, plus two unsuccessful qualifying campaigns, the 26-year-old is finally enjoying his first victory on London’s sacred turf tracks.
“I’m very happy with how the result came out. A lot of doubts come into the tournament. I wasn’t sure how I would get up, how I would play, if I would even play,” Kokkinakis said, after injuring his left knee. in a fall on the track at Surbiton three weeks ago.
The South Australian’s rich reward is a clash on the court on Wednesday with Djokovic, the 20-time Grand Slam champion pursuing a seventh Wimbledon crown, and the fourth in a row.
“I can’t wait. I can’t wait for the opportunity,” Kokkinakis said. “It was definitely in the back of my mind to play that game. I obviously saw the draw. I’m not one of those people who doesn’t look forward. I knew I had a difficult game, obviously first, but I definitely knew what was at stake.” .
Djokovic opened his title bid earlier with a terrifying 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Korean Soonwoo Kwon under a closed roof in the center court.
Kokkinakis, who also won his first ATP title in January in Adelaide, was the only Australian winner on a rainy first day of the championships.
James Duckworth’s long-awaited battle on the center court with Andy Murray ended in a gallant 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 defeat to two-time Wimbledon champion and former world number one. Andy Murray.
John Millman retired with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Serbian No. 25 seed Miomir Kecmanovic, while the brave Max Purcell fell to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in a epic three hours and 53 minutes. .
Playing with the lost toenail on his right foot, Purcell bounced back from two sets to force a decisive, only to succumb 6-3, 7-6 (7-0), 4-6, 4-6, 6 – 4 in their first five-set match.
Maddison Inglis was also unable to extend her career from the standings, losing 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to Hungarian Dalma Galfi. Astra Sharma will resume its fight with German Tatjana Maria on Tuesday after the match was suspended under a dim light in a set each, and the Australian will serve 6-4 3-6.
Her qualifying teammate Zoe Hives and wildcard Daria Saville had their games scheduled postponed until the second day.