Crowd favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis was unable to repeat his 2023 Adelaide International heroics as the defending champion was knocked out of his home tournament by Dusan Lajovic in the first round on Monday night.
The Australian star’s only ATP Tour singles title came in Adelaide last year and the 27-year-old looked set to make another run as he breezed through the opening set 6-3.
But Serbia’s Lajovic then took his game to another level, winning the next two sets 6-1, 6-4 to advance in 2h 11m.
Lajovic is ranked 52nd in the world and Kokkinakis is 68th.
Sorry you guys, I know Thanasi is a crowd favorite here, Lajovic said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
And at least I hope you guys enjoyed some great tennis tonight. I for sure did.
Thank you for supporting both sides and I hope to see you soon again.
Kokkinakis made 26 unforced errors compared to Lajovic’s 20.
Once Thanasi gets into the rhythm with his serve, he’s a really dangerous player, Lajovic said.
I think I started to relax a little bit in the second set once I started reading his game a little better and and you could see that he was not happy about that.
And I think that this gave me the momentum to continue playing with confidence in the third set as well.
Despite the disappointment, Kokkinakis displayed glimpses of his potential throughout the match. However, Lajovic’s consistency and ability to adapt proved to be the deciding factors.
With the loss, Kokkinakis will now turn his focus to upcoming tournaments, aiming to regain his winning form. As a young and talented player, he undoubtedly has the potential for future success.
Lajovic, on the other hand, will carry the victory forward with confidence. His impressive performance against the defending champion puts him in a good position as he progresses further into the tournament.
The first-round exit for Kokkinakis serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in professional tennis. With each tournament, players face the challenge of maintaining their form and overcoming talented opponents.
While Kokkinakis may be disappointed, his determination and tenacity will likely fuel his motivation to come back stronger in the future. Tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching his progress as he continues to hone his skills and push for success.
As the Adelaide International unfolds, spectators can expect more thrilling matches and surprising upsets. The intense competition serves as a stage for both experienced players and rising stars to showcase their abilities and make their mark on the tennis world.
Stay tuned for the latest updates and results from the 2024 Adelaide International, where the world’s best tennis players battle it out on the court.
Remember to catch the tournament exclusively live and free on Nine, 9Now, and ad-free on Stan Sport. Don’t miss the electrifying action as the competition heats up and new champions emerge.
