Grigor Dimitrov sent a warning to the top players in the field as he easily defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Australian Open.
After overcoming emerging star Dane Holger Rune in the Brisbane International title match to prepare for the Melbourne Grand Slam, the No. 13 seed hasn’t lost this year.
Dimitrov advanced to the round of 32 after taking an early two-set lead and conceding just five games en route to a 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 triumph. Dimitrov had 39 victories to Kokkinakis’ meager 14.
Following the defeat, Kokkinakis’ record of never advancing past the second round of the Australian Open now stands at eight tries.
It was challenging. These days, he plays incredible tennis. Kokkinakis claimed that he was clearly the superior player in the opening two sets.
The first set was probably closer than 6-3. Though I had numerous break points and he was playing pretty well, I could almost force a match. His outstanding performance and remarkable movement made it seem as though I couldn’t get the ball past him in the first two sets.
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I went into overdrive and blew through the third set. In the fourth set, it was tough. It is disappointing that the more experienced player won even though they were behind 40–15. He has a very pleasant playing style.
Following the hero’s five-set triumph against the formidable Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the opening round, Jim Courier of Channel Nine questioned whether Grigor Dimitrov was using a paintbrush or a racquet. Dimitrov is incredibly skilled with the net. Kokkinakis, who is 27 years old, was unable to keep up with Dimitrov.
In the opening game of the third set, Dimitrov earned another break point with an amazing drop volley winner off his toes, despite hitting the net 56 times (winning 45 of those games) and usually being in a commanding position when he did.
With the backing of an enthusiastic John Cain Arena audience, Kokkinakis, on the other hand, endured the heat, hung onto the set, and then unleashed a blistering forehand to break the Bulgarian for the first time and force a fourth set.
Kokkinakis was having problems as a result of Dimitrov’s constant creation of opportunities. Before giving up four games later, the Australians saved multiple break points in the third and fifth games.
Dimitrov is often compared to Roger Federer due to his powerful backhand, skillful strokes, and eagerness to volley. In 2023, he advanced to the Paris Masters final as well, but Novak Djokovic, the top player in the world, defeated him. Despite this setback, it seems that he is now ready to participate in a significant competition.
His best Slam performances have come from his four trips to Australia, where he reached at least the quarterfinals and even a semifinal seven years ago.
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