scoreline: Kokkinakis 5-7, 6-0, 1-6, 7-6, 8-6
The 18 year old Kokkinakis has taken out the no. 11 seed Ernests Gulbis in (as predicted) five epic sets lasting 4 hours. It is a career defining win for Kokkinakis and great signs for Australian tennis. Goodness me the dawn of a new era in aussie tennis is upon us and it looks set to be a good one. Kokkinakis saved four match points of his own in the fourth set and played clutch tennis when it counted. What a victory!
Thanasi Kokkinakis will look to cause a big upset at the Australian Open when he faces the seeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the first round. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.00pm (AEDT).
Kokkinakis is no stranger to playing big matches at the Australian Open and such experience should serve him well when he faces off against the talented but inconsistent Gulbis tonight.
The young Australian played none other than Rafael Nadal in the second round last year and left a very good impression despite losing in straight sets.
If Kokkinakis can build on his efforts against Nadal, then he is every chance of causing the upset against an opponent that, on his day, can go deep into grand slam tournaments.
Gulbis made headlines last year after making the 2014 French Open semi-finals, defeating Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych in the process. The Latvian is an extravagant player with a strong first serve and a very good backhand. He is an offensive player that will keep Kokkinakis on his toes if he is allowed to dominate from inside the baseline.
A fit and firing Gulbis would have too much power and skill for Kokkinakis to handle at this stage of his flourishing career. Gulbis however hasn’t had the best of starts to the new season, losing in the first round in Auckland. He is a confidence player and tends to struggle against opposition that he is favoured to defeat.
With this in mind, Kokkinakis has to come out playing aggressive tennis. An early break of serve will get the crowd right into the contest and this may frustrate Gulbis.
The key issue for Kokkinakis will be whether or not he can stand toe to toe with Gulbis in a best of five set match. At the Brisbane International, Kokkinakis pushed Bernard Tomic all the way in the first set only to lose the second set quickly.
The young Australian has to prove that he can come back from adversity because there is a chance that Gulbis could race out of the blocks given the talent that the Latvian possesses.
With a vocal crowd at his back, Kokkinakis should be primed for a big performance and he may just produce an effort that could allow him to seal the biggest win of his young career so far.
Kokkinakis in five sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks Patrick and Jamesb. In all seriousness i wish I was an oracle of sport. I would be pretty rich. Just got lucky. Have to say that I would like Groth to win next round. I just feel that he is on a mission to prove previous doubters wrong and I respect him for that
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Mate, great prediction! Unbelievable!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well played Kkkinakis. I don't really follow tennis but feel the need to leave a comment after watching the tie break after the Big Bash! Well done
jamesb
Guest
Alan Your a genius with your prediction. Anyway, good luck to the kid. I think he plays Groth in the next round.
jamesb
Guest
Well played kid.
Alan
Roar Guru
The 18 year old Kokkinakis has taken out the no. 11 seed Ernests Gulbis in (as predicted) five epic sets lasting 4 hours. It is a career defining win for Kokkinakis and great signs for Australian tennis. Goodness me the dawn of a new era in aussie tennis is upon us and it looks set to be a good one. Kokkinakis saved four match points of his own in the fourth set and played clutch tennis when it counted. What a victory!
Alan
Roar Guru
Here's his chance. Kokkinakis facing a second serve, He has done it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GAME SET AND MATCH KOKKINAKIS Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 8 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point Kokkinakis yet again. His second of the night..... Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault and its back to deuce Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Clutch ace out wide from Gulbis saves a match point! Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point Kokkinakis after four hours! Backhand is wide from Gulbis..... Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
30-30. Backhand sets up the easy volley for Gulbis Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
15-30 Kokkinakis. Double fault from Gulbis. Window of opportunity for the Australian Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
15 all Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Surely Kokkinakis will win this. Gulbis has had four match points, several break points yet nothing. Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Kokkinakis holds with another ace and he leads 7-6 in the fifth. It has turned into a classic! Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 7 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Another ace out wide for game point as we approach the 4 hour mark Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 6 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Great serving yet again. Deuce. Kokkinakis not going anywhere Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 6 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Gee Kokkinakis forehand is long but he challenges. I don't think its in but it is. Its just caught the line! Gee Gulbis will be annoyed big time!!!! Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 6 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Backhand crosscourt winner from Gulbis superb. Break point. Kokkinakis 5 6 1 7 6 Gulbis 7 0 6 6 6