Tag:

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Other Sports

2024 Davis Cup semi-final: Italy too good to end Australia’s hopes of winning this prestigious trophy courtesy of both Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner

by Sports Benches

First of all, it wasn’t the series the Aussies wanted in this Davis Cup semi-final v Italy again – who previously defeated them last time round during the Final last year & did so once again last night – after seeing both of our singles players Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alex De Minaur being run down 2-0 by their own opponents in Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner.

But this is something we should be proud of at the end of the day with our head held high. We were oh close following that brilliant first set tiebreak mini win to begin with from Kokkanikis before he just couldn’t hang in there through the end over the best of three on what has been an excellent Berrettini comeback. 

Also, that Sinner and De Minaur match was extremely difficult to watch either when Sinner right now is our next generation version of Roger Federer from Switzerland today, has won both grand slams in 2024 both at the Australian and US Open & he too has done in straight sets – shame it was a non-starter for Alex there.  All eyes on Alex though if he can make the last 8 again but this time it has to be at Melbourne Park, although it depends on which opponents he will take on soon.

And if Kokkanikis did hold on to at least one of the singles’ match wins, then Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson could’ve been there to give ourselves another shot at the Davis Cup crown for the Final when it comes to the reserved doubles match tie. 

But with Italy already wrapped up 2-0 without the need of doubles, looks like they are now set to defend their title once again this time v Netherlands tonight from 11pm AEDT only on BeIn Sports and not 9Gem.

So I guess with the new format around the corner for next year’s Davis Cup, it seems Australia would be back in action very early with the first round qualifiers straight after the Australian Open – unless they can be the host nation for that second round for September, which would normally be held in Europe, I assume.

This shouldn’t be too much of an issue though as sure they can continue to keep on rolling and who knows if the Aussies will be back in the Davis Cup Final again someday? Hopefully, they can finally be able to lift that historic trophy once more.

For now, onto the United Cup in little over a month’s time then here comes the three-week home grand slam come early January 2025 across Melbourne Park.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024 Davis Cup QF: Thanasi Kokkinakis & strong doubles pair of Ebden and Thompson enough to keep the Aussie hopes alive v the USA for tomorrow’s huge rematch v Italy

by Sports Benches

Last night was one of the best Davis Cup Quarter-Finals we just witnessed in 2024 over in Malaga with the Aussies still in the hunt for the prestigious crown thanks to their doubles deciding win over the USA by Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson & they will now go into tomorrow night’s semi against reigning champions Italy on what would be last year’s final rematch. 

It will be another tough next few battles for sure but there’s still long way to go even if it means making the big dance once more & hopefully winning it this time against either Germany or the Netherlands.

As said earlier, our doubles stronghold of Ebden and Thompson was enough to keep our team alive also in straight sets. This deciding contest they faced was up against someone Ebden knows well from the Olympics doubles gold medal match a few months ago (August) in Paris where he won it with John Peers, having taken on silver medalists once again in Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. 

Meanwhile, we wish Alex De Minaur could’ve finished the series early 2-0 but was not able to get past Taylor Fritz in straight sets. To be honest though, he was up against someone, who has been in more than few grand slam knockout finals, including the recent US Open final back in September where he lost to Italian Jannik Sinner. He will need more than just the fighting spirit if Alex was to shock one of the world’s best players right now of this next generation Tennis era against Sinner, so not expecting him to win it since it’s going to be one tough of a contest but he’s one of our best Tennis players here.

And at the end of the day, how good was Thanasi Kokkinakis? He too finally came out on top of the hill against Ben Shelton after a long three set battle. Love how Shelton fought back to bring up the deciding set at the third but these two just couldn’t stop fighting to start & Kokkinakis stood tall towards the end there. Love seeing Kokkinakis proving to everyone that he still has lot to offer for the Aussies to go all the way & we want to see more of his inspiring plays when he returns tomorrow.

Make sure you get behind them as it’s still been a little over 20 years since the Aussies last won the Davis Cup with the Germany v Netherlands semi to play first tonight (BeIn Sports only) followed by Australia v Italy tomorrow night on 9Gem.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024 Davis Cup group stage week: Australia now one step to November’s Finals after a 3-0 whitewash win v Czech Republic

by Sports Benches

Gotta say the Aussies were too good v Czech Republic in their 2nd match of the 2024 Davis Cup group stages following a 3-0 whitewash ahead of the 3rd and final series tie this Sunday/Monday AM v Spain.

Glad to hear that Thanasi Kokkinakis was superb once again through the best of three sets in the opening singles game v Jakub Mensik. The first set was easy and although he was unlucky to close out the first attempt during the 2nd set tiebreak, but he found a way though to get things done without too much of a fuss towards the end though by 6-2, 6-7 (2-7 tie) & 6-3.

Going into the next game with Alexei Popyrin, okay, this was a bit different when Tomas Machac had to retire hurt not long after the 2nd singles game was started – in which was so unfortunate to hear.

But a win is a win for the Aussies as they were happy to take it with the series win now already locked in 2-0 before we had one doubles tie to finish off the day featuring Matt Ebden & Max Purcell. The duo have been an unstoppable force as always this time in straight sets 6-4 & 6-2 v Jakub Mensik & Adam Pavlasek.

Now the Aussies still sit on top of Group B with one more series tie left to settle this weekend – they should be good to go for November’s Finals week as long as Spain win tomorrow v France. That way, they will do their absolute best with that Playoffs spot warranted by going all the way against one of the Top sides – especially when playing against one of the host nations over in Valencia. And let’s hope they will bring back Alex De Minaur back in time instead of Popyrin for one of their two singles matches alongside Kokkinakis.

Bring it on to wrap up Australia’s Davis Cup group stage week regardless of result that will hopefully put in a position where they can win that legendary trophy at some point soon enough.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024 Davis Cup Group-Stage Week: Matt Ebden & Max Purcell saves the day for the Aussies thanks to their doubles-deciding win over France with 2-1 in this 1st match tie 

by Sports Benches

Gotta say it has been a great finish to the 1st of the three Davis Cup 2024 group stage series matches for the Aussies v France from overnight in Valencia, Spain. Thanasi Kokkinakis got away with a pretty good start when he was simply at the top of his game v Arthur Fils in straight sets, even though this opening singles game wasn’t so easy indeed – 7-6 via 7-4 tiebreak & 7-6 via 7-3 tiebreak. Although in the second singles match, Ugo Humbert was too good for Alexei Popyrin also in straight sets (3-6 & 2-6) which was so unfortunate where Humbert tied with the Aussies at 1-1 apiece for France.

But this tie wasn’t over just yet with the doubles match to settle v the French featuring one of the Paris 2024 men’s double Olympic gold medalist Matt Ebden & one of the new US Open men’s double champ Max Purcell going up against Pierre Hueges Herbert & Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Fortunately, Ebden & Purcell saved the day thanks to our best doubles playing strikeforce as seen regularly across the grand slam tournaments and team group circuit.

They fired off really well where there were some bumps along the way when it comes to the second set but eventually found a way to close out though with the 2-1 series win v France. The final score was 7-5, 5-7 & 6-3 as the Aussies are now onto the 2nd of three series ties in Group B v Czech Republic on Friday morning. Then they will do the best they can possible depending on other results to finish off the group stage weekend on Monday morning v one of the top-ranked sides in Spain.

All they have to do is keep on fighting as another series win would see them one step closer towards locking in that November Finals week spot where the final eight teams will be competing for that one prestigious silverware & no doubt we’d like to have it back this time around after back-to-back recent Final attempts like last year and the year before (in 2022).

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Australia fell short on their return to the Davis Cup Final by first-time Champions Canada but proud of fighting spirit & hard work does after a great 2022 of Tennis

by Sports Benches

It wasn’t Australia’s day today when they returned to the Davis Cup Final scene for the first time in 19 years that went way back to 2003 – where Australia last won their title for the 28th time on home soil v Spain. They came here with fighting spirit orchestrated by Lleyton Hewitt as Team Captain, having never gave up along the way after their wins beforehand v Netherlands (QF) & Croatia (Semis). 

However, we have to credit Canada with the breakthrough moment they deserve – especially when they have a bright & an elite young line-up. But we all have to move on as Australia has to keep building on the good work they’ve got right now, so they can come back again hopefully next year & go one better this time.

We’ll start with the first singles tie between Thanasi Kokkinakis v Denis Shapovalov where neither of them have yet to register a win so far in this year’s Davis Cup Finals, but one of them will do so in the end. It turns out to be Shapovalov who was too good for Kokkinakis in straight sets – 6-2, 6-4. For Kokkinakis, his first set spell was a lot to be desired. Although he did show some fight after break in a bid to stay in contention, but it still wasn’t enough to hold off towards a 3rd set decider.

Then we turn our attention to Alex De Minaur v Felix-Auger Alliasime in the next singles match – as the moment of truth has arrived if Australia will bring out a doubles rubber & go one better to retrieve the Davis Cup trophy – or will be Canada as first time winners 2-0? Let’s find out as this time it was a very competitive opening half spell in the 1st set by both players before Auger-Aliassime pulled off the other half easily, while De Minaur did the best he can to keep Australia in the race and lead into a 3rd set lifeline after the break. 

In the end though, Auger-Aliassime escaped a late threat from De Minaur that not only sealed another singles win in straight sets but also gifted Canada the Davis Cup trophy for the first time. The final score was 6-3, 6-4 – with no doubles match required following Canada’s 2-0 whitewash in the series final v Australia.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Alex De Minaur & the doubles pair of Max Purcell & Jordan Thompson turned out to be Australia’s saviour in the semis v Croatia as they advanced into Sunday’s Davis Cup Final

by Sports Benches

Australia has done it as they have now punched their ticket for Sunday’s Davis Cup Final following their win in the Doubles decider v Croatia where they wrapped up 2-1 in this series. Their next opponent will either be Italy or Canada as these sides will battle it out in the other Semi-Final later tonight.

We’ll start off with Borna Coric & Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first singles match where both players battled so hard from the very start. However, it was Coric who narrowly escaped Kokkinakis with the opening set lead before he shut him completely in straight sets that gave Croatia a 1-0 headstart. The final score was 4-6, 3-6.

Then we turn our attention to Alex De Minaur v Marin Cilic in the second singles tie that will determine if it’s a Croatia 2-0 whitewash or a lifeline for Australia going into the 3rd & final doubles match. It’s safe to say that De Minaur have saved Australia from the brink of elimination at 1-1 apiece – where he was just too good for Cilic from start to finish – 6-2, 6-2.

And alright here’s the doubles deciding tie now where one of them will advance into Sunday’s Final v the winner of Semi-Final No.1 between Italy or Canada; It’s Max Purcell & Jordan Thompson v Nikola Metkic & Mate Pavic. Like we saw with the opening singles tie earlier on, this opening stage was really competitive by both teams before Croatia narrowly got away unscathed in the first set via tiebreaker. 

But not all hope is lost though from Australia when they never gave up with the rebound after the break that sets up a one-set shootout. In the end, it’s Australia who pulled off comfortably following a tight first half distance, as they have came from behind to close off a stunning 2-1 series win v Croatia. The final score was 6-7 (3-7 tiebreaker), 7-5, 6-4.

We loved the leadership Lleyton Hewitt orchestrated as Team Captain, as well as Purcell & Thompson’s celebration & De Minaur’s roar both on-court & from the crowd. Let’s see if they can go all the way & lift this historic trophy for the first time in 19 years, as Australia want to be an elite challenger again for many years to come.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

The next best Australian Tennis stars to watch following the retirement from Ash Barty

by Admin

Ashleigh Barty, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has announced her retirement from tennis. Barty, the No. 1 ranked women’s player got her country most of its major tournament, made it known publicly on Wednesday that she was leaving tennis for other pursuits. This will be the third time that Barty has stepped away from professional tennis but this is her first time of announcing her retirement. But her sudden retirement announcement coming after her triumph Melbourne, is a decision she has considered a lot. She has spent 113 weeks altogether at No. 1 putting her seventh on the career list. Barty happen to be the first women’s player to retire while on top of the single rankings since the Belgian star Justine Henin suddenly announced her retirement in May 2008.

Presently, and probably for eternity, Barty has ended her career $23.8 million prize money plus 15 career singles titles, including three at Grand Slam tournaments. In 2019, she won the French Open, in 2021 she won Wimbledon, and Australia Open this year, which means that she has won major singles titles on all three of tennis’ primary surfaces (clay, grass and hard court). Her triumph in the Australia Open gave her a great ending. She withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open making her Melbourne triumph her last match.

To conclude with, her unexpected retirement is obviously a blow to the sport. Barty is extremely popular in Australia with her humble personality. She is also a very important figure of Indigenous Austrailan descent.

After Barty’s retirement, there are few Aussie women’s players to watch: There are just two Australian women sitting in the world’s top 100 and they are Ajla Tomljanovic and Astra Sharma.

Ajla Tomljanovic has recorded eight singles wins in her career best Grand Slam season. She reached the Wimbledon quarter finals and US open third round. Ajla played a major role in the Fed Cup final in November 2019, making her first win for the country.

Astra Sharma won her first WTA singles title in April. She won her second WTA doubles title in Guadalajara. She was named twice in the Fed Cup team in 2019.

A 19 year old Olivier Gadecki. She is one of the fastest risers on the WTA the previous year. She moved from no ranking to mid-200s.

Charlotte Kempenaers and Tayla Preston are the two highest ranked juniors at the moment. They are both ranked in the top 40 – 50 in the world. Both of them will be competing at the upcoming junior grand slams.

THE NEXT BEST AUSTRAILIAN TENNIS STAR (MEN)

At 23, Alex de Minaur is one of Australia’s brilliant tennis prospect. He has continued to arise heads and he is still a player to keep close eye on moving forward.

De Minaur will be in action at the Miami Open on the 29th of March to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 32. Alex De Minaur has kept Australia’s hopes alive with a victory in the Davis Cup qualifier over Marton Fucsovics. In a relentless display, De Manaur defeated Fusovic, who is is ranked No. 35 in the world and 5 places below De Minaur.

James Duckworth is an Australia professional tennis player. He has a high rank in Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles ranking of the world No. 47 who he achieved on November 8 2021 and No. 185 doubles achieved on February 10 2020. Duckworth has won three titles and reached the semifinals of the 2010 French Open.

Thanasi Kokkinakis has made another chapter in his stunning 2022 comeback story with a victory over Hungary in the Davis Cup qualifier. It was his first match win in the world team event since 2015. That was the last time he represented Australia against Great Britain in the World Group semifinals.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Tennis News, Thanasi Kokkinakis has just helped Australia clinch a 2022 Davis Cup finals berth after he defeated Zsombor Piros in straight sets

by Sports Benches

Thanasi Kokkinakis has done it for Australia having just defeated Zsombor Piros in straight sets, Australia just wrapped up a 3-2 series win following the best of five match-ups v Hungary in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers at Ken Rosewall Arena. That means Australia has now punched their ticket for the Finals later this year, where they join 17 other qualified teams to battle it out for the Davis Cup title.

Kokkinakis was relieved to come out unscathed following a close battle with Piros for the whole time that determined the series result for his country, Australia. He fired off well with the early lead, then he was tested on occasions where Piros fought back as this deciding tie goes on. However, it’s all about persistence, having taken his time wisely thanks to the first set lead advantage, that helped Kokkinakis play a huge part in Australia’s series decider win v Hungary.

Meanwhile, Piros would be disappointed with the loss even though he has been a great opponent to face. We love how he made up some lost time during the second-half run in each spell, having almost brought in the tiebreaker that can give him an extended shot to try & stay in this game. He left it too late when Piros lacked the first-half momentum & fell behind along the way, in which he was let down in this area while trying to hold back Kokkinakis.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Tennis News, Marton Fucsovics levels Australia 1-1 for Hungary after Day 1 of the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers at Ken Rosewall Arena

by Sports Benches

Hungary has just fought back v Australia 1-1 in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers after Day 1 tonight at Ken Rosewall Arena. Good start from Marton Fucsovics and Thanasi Kokkinakis, where both players fought very hard during a very competitive first set that went down the wire via the tiebreak. Fucsovics won that tiebreak and led 1-0 going into the second set, but Kokkinakis fought back comfortably at 1-1 apiece, with this match-up not over yet towards the third and final set decider. In the end, Fucsovics managed to find his way past Kokkinakis and held him off with the win for his country, Hungary.

Final Score: 6-7 via 4-6 tiebreaker, 6-1, 3-6.

Unlucky for Kokkinakis, who did well to catch up Fucsovics & not give him a free run. He fired the pressure well back to his opponent, especially in the 2nd set that reflected his fightback, as it gave him another chance to redeem himself ahead of the final set spell. But it’s not just his night tonight when Kokkinakis struggled to overtake & hold off Fucsovics, where Fucsovics exposed him in the opening set tiebreak & 3rd set decider, and that sums up his loss in this match-up.

Meanwhile, brilliant play by Fucsovics with the win in this second singles tie v Kokkinakis for Hungary. He did well to move past his opponent earlier on and took his time while leading, where Fucsovics overcame Kokkinakis during the 1st set tiebreak. Now he may have missed the chance to close out in straight sets when he was tied 1-1 after the second set, but Fucsovics knew one thing Kokkinakis wasn’t good at where the Hungarian eventually beat him to the punch, which is taking over and holding off the lead.

Two matches gone, three to go tomorrow with one doubles tie plus two more singles games up for grabs in the best of five in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers, between Australia v Hungary at Ken Rosewall Arena.

Tomorrow’s schedule from 1 pm

Doubles: John Peers & Luke Saville for Australia v Marton Fucsovics & Fabian Marozsan.

Two Singles matches: Alex De Minaur (Australia) v Marton Fucsovics (Hungary), Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) v Zsombor Piros (Hungary).

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Tennis News, Yannik Hanfmann off to an easy start with his first ever Grand Slam win in Round 1 of 2022 Australian Open v Thanasi Kokkinakis

by Sports Benches

Thanasi Kokkinakis may have won the Adelaide International Men’s Tournament Part 2 on Saturday that hopefully extend his run in this year’s Australia’s Open, but it’s not happening as he was clean swept by Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets (6-2, 6-3 & 6-2) at Court No.3.

Congratulations to Hoffmann on his first-ever Grand Slam win at the age of 30, he was outstanding left, right & center with an easy start before Hanfmann built a very big lead over the Aussie over time & proved too good in the end.

He will have to go through 6th seed Rafa Nadal from Spain, however, if he was to continue his campaign here past Round 2.

And Thanasi is disappointed to be eliminated on the very first day of the Australian Open having came here with plenty of hype after that Adelaide International win, he did pick up some consolation games as this tie goes on but just couldn’t show the balance that Hanfmann demonstrated from start to finish.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • 1
  • 2