'Gut punch' ends Kokkinakis' repeat dreams

1 year ago 69

Thanasi Kokkinakis has been near to rue what could've been aft blowing 9 interruption constituent opportunities successful the last acceptable of his nonaccomplishment to Roberto Bautista Agut.

As helium has done each summer, the Aussie played immoderate fantastic tennis, taking it close up to the Spanish No.4 effect who yet ran retired a 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3 victor successful Adelaide.

After being outduelled successful a first-set tiebreaker, Kokkinakis turned the tables precocious successful the 2nd set, breaking the Spaniard for the archetypal clip successful the lucifer to nonstop it into a deciding 3rd set.

The 26-year-old came retired of the gates afloat of momentum successful the decider, instantly putting the unit connected his seasoned opponent, but that's wherever his rubric defence yet crumbled.

Kokkinakis squandered 3 interruption constituent opportunities successful Bautista Agut's opening work crippled of the last set, and past instantly gave up a interruption successful the precise adjacent crippled successful what was described arsenic a "gut punch" by commentator Mark Petchey connected Nine's coverage.

However, determination was worse to come.

With Bautista Agut holding a 3-1 pb successful the last set, Kokkinakis threw the implicit room descend astatine the Spaniard, bringing up 5 much interruption constituent opportunities.

Once again, the Spaniard was capable to clasp his serve, playing immoderate unthinkable tennis to support his invaluable lead.

Match Highlights: Thanasi Kokkinakis v Roberto Bautista Agut

"We whitethorn not spot amended tennis than this the full summer. It's of a ace precocious standard," said Aussie large John Fitzgerald connected commentary.

Kokkinakis had 1 past accidental to prevention the lucifer successful the last game, bringing up 1 much interruption constituent arsenic Bautista Agut looked to seal the deal.

Again, the Spaniard was capable to interruption free, incredibly ending the lucifer having saved 11 of 12 interruption points connected his ain service portion converting the 1 interruption constituent accidental helium had connected the Kokkinakis serve.

Bautista Agut volition look face Korea's Kwon Soon-woo successful Saturday's final, aiming to triumph the 12th singles rubric of his career, portion Kokkinakis volition statesman preparations for his first-round hostile Fabio Fognini astatine the Australian Open.

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