Kokkinakis crushes Thiem on dazzling UTS debut in Frankfurt

Thanasi Kokkinakis enjoyed a perfect start to his UTS career as he beat Dominic Thiem – Dominator – 13-9, 14-11, 13-10 in the opening match of UTS Frankfurt at the Süwag Energie Arena on Friday.

In the penultimate event of Thiem’s career, the crowd were on the Austrian’s side but “Kokki” was on red-hot form as he won in three quarters.

“I loved it,” Kokkinakis said. “I’ve watched it on TV and wanted to be a part of it. Thank you for coming out. It’s a lot of fun. It takes away my biggest strength, my first serve, but you’ve got to find ways to win.”

Kokkinakis bangs down 206kmh serve

With one of the best serves on Tour, Kokkinakis was constrained early on as he found his feet on his debut but when he needed it, he banged down a big serve to get himself in a strong position, his 206kmh serve putting his nose in front at 8-7.

He then won the following point when using his next point counts for three card to lead 11-8 and after the first quarter finished 12-9, he won the next point to deny Thiem the chance to turn the quarter round.

“I needed it,” he said, of his 206kmh bullet. “I can’t give him these lengthy rallies. Some come off, some don’t but luckily Frankfurt was in my favour today. It worked to use the card on serve even though Jeremy (Chardy) told me not to – what does he know!).”

Thiem ON BACK FOOT AGAIN

In his second-last ever tournament – he retires next week in Vienna – Thiem needed a fast start to get back into the match but it was Kokkinakis who started fast, racing ahead 4-0 and then 7-2.

The Australian was enjoying himself and played arguably the shot of the match as he ripped a forehand pass on the run to extend his lead to 9-3. At 10-5, Kokkinakis played his next point counts three card but missed with a backhand, before Thiem played his own card, on the Aussie card, and won it on another mistake to close within one point at 10-9.

But Thiem netted a backhand, going for his trademark down the line shot, and then missed his serve to let Kokkinakis lead 12-9 with the seconds counting down. The quarter ended 13-10 in Kokki’s favour and though Thiem had a chance to overturn it if he won all the remaining points, a faked drop shot that landed just inside the baseline ensured that Kokkinakis won it 14-11.

Thiem’s serve lets him down

Thiem began to find his range at the start of the third quarter, opening up a 3-1 lead, only to gift Kokkinakis a way back in as he faulted, his fifth service point lost.

It was nip and tuck to 8-8, when Thiem used his bonus card on his own serve but the luck was not with him as a shanked return from Kokkinakis landed in. The Aussie then used his card on the Thiem serve and the Austrian won it as Kokki netted. Tied at 9-8 with just over a minute to go, Thiem missed long and then went wide when firing down the line on the backhand.

With 20 seconds to go, Kokkinakis led 11-10 and with the court at Thiem’s mercy, he missed long with the forehand. He still had a chance, if he could win both remaining points, but another piece of luck went Kokkinakis’s way as his serve clipped the net and went in, with Thiem missing the return.

You might also like this

Sudden death gives UTS an added dimension

tennis majors

A sprint or a marathon? UTS is a little of both

tennis majors

Dominic Thiem, the retirement interview (part 1): Life after tennis, and how UTS kickstarted US Open run

tennis majors