After a series of interruptions due to rain and postponements that postponed part of the match to day 2, Thanasi Kokkinakis finally managed to close the first round match against Fabio Fognini. Three sets are enough for the Australian to overcome the Italian tennis player.
The Italian was accused by Australian journalists of tanking: a practice which consists in intentionally reducing the effort to a minimum during an official match. The Australian was asked at a press conference to comment on this accusation, also referring to their past records: “I mean, I’ve played against him three times and now I’m 3-0.
Unless he tanked every time. I am playing well, I have served well; I thought I didn’t give him many chances. I don’t know what he’s feeling or how he’s doing it, but he was in the top 10. He who knows. The truth is, he doesn’t care if people think he’s been tanking.
I’m in round two and that’s what matters.”
The second round against Murray
With the victory against Fognini, Thanasi Kokkinakis will face Andy Murray, who beat another Italian, namely Matteo Berrettini. With the memory of Winston Salem, where the Grand Slam champion gave him indications on how to play his backhand, the Australian decided to celebrate the success of the former world number one against the new number between Italy in a press conference: “Andy is someone I respect a lot.
He obviously he’s been at the top of the table and he can relate a little bit to the injury and stuff like that. I’ve lost quite a few years, and so has he, especially recently. But whether or not he has a metal hip, I don’t think there’s any question of his character.
What he has approached this sport, his resilience, how he plays and how he wins matches, with his commitment and dedication to the sport: all this says a lot about him.”
