Thanasi Kokkinakis? Yeah, he’s the guy who just stormed through the final round of the 2024 Madrid Open qualifiers. He took down Dominic Thiem in straight sets. And let me tell you, it was something to see.
Now, you’d think players of their caliber wouldn’t even be in the qualifiers, right? But here’s the kicker: the Madrid Open is no joke. It’s tough. So despite their skills, they had to fight their way through. And fight they did, drawing in crowds who were all too eager to watch the showdown.
Thiem, bless him, has been having a rough go of it lately. His previous match? Nearly saw him packing his bags home early. But, somehow, he pulled through, setting up this clash with Kokkinakis.
The first set was a bit of a disaster for Thiem. Kokkinakis was just on another level, taking it 6-1. The Aussie’s game was just too good, and the fast conditions in Madrid played right into his hands. Powerful serve, killer forehand – he had it all.
Thiem, on the other hand, was struggling. His serve was off, and his baseline game? Even more so. Kokkinakis, meanwhile, was hitting winners left and right, not making a single unforced error.
But then came the second set, and Thiem started to find his groove. He was holding his serve games with more confidence. However, it only took one slip-up for Kokkinakis to break him. And that break? That was all Kokkinakis needed.
The first set might have been a breeze for Kokkinakis, but don’t let that fool you. The second set showed he could grind it out too. In the end, it was a solid 6-1, 6-3 victory for the Australian. He’s been playing some top-notch tennis this week.
If Kokkinakis can keep this up, especially that serve of his, who knows how far he’ll go in the tournament? He’s definitely one to watch.
Takeaways
‣ Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Dominic Thiem in two sets in the final round of the 2024 Madrid Open qualifiers, securing a spot in the main draw.
‣ The match was notable for featuring two players of high caliber in the qualifiers, drawing significant fan interest due to the strong competition at the event.
‣ Kokkinakis showcased a powerful serve and good forehand, thriving in the faster conditions of Madrid, and won the match with a solid performance of 6-1, 6-3.