Thanasi Kokkinakis has been eliminated in the Australian Open second round for a fifth time by 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
The Australian fought hard after struggling in the first two sets but was eventually shaded by the Bulgarian 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 in three hours, 28 minutes.
It looked like being a whitewash for the local hope early as Dimitrov showed the form which saw him win the Brisbane International.
After losing the first two sets convincingly, Kokkinakis managed to break Dimitrov at 5-4 and take the third set - with the crowd getting behind the Australian.
The fourth set was a grind but Dimitrov just had that little bit of class that allowed him to break Kokkinakis in the ninth game and serve it out straight after.
Dimitrov will now meet unseeded Portuguese player Nuno Borges in the third round - with the Bulgarian eyeing a deep run at Melbourne Park like his semi-final appearance in 2017.
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis final score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | |
| [13] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
*denotes server
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis updates, highlights and commentary
The Sporting News folllowed the Grigor Dimitrov vs Thanasi Kokkinakis match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as it happened.
GAME, SET, MATCH, DIMITROV! Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 Kokkinakis
Grigor serving for the match. He gets the first point with Kokkinakis' forehand coming up well short. 15-0. Kokkinakis hits the return wide. 30-0. Thanasi hits long on the return and it's three match points to the Bulgarian. Kokkinakis nets and that's the match to Dimitrov.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 5-4 Kokkinakis*
Dimitrov makes a good return and Kokkinakis hits the backhand wide. 0-15. Dimitrov can't get back Kokkinakis' forehand drive. 15-15. Kokkinakis serves an ace. 30-15. The Aussie hits the line with a looping forehand. 40-15. Dimitrov slashes a crosscourt backhand winner. 40-30. Kokkinakis misses the forehand and we go to deuce. Dimitrov outsmarts Kokkinakis at the net. Adv Dimitrov. The Bulgarian makes the backhand winner down the line. Break secured and he will serve for the match.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 4-4 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov makes the unforced error into the net. 0-15. Dimitrov just hits the back of the line with a forehand drive. 15-15. Kokkinakis is too heavy on the backhand. 30-15. Dimitrov makes the volley after Kokkinakis smashes the ball at him. 40-15. Kokkinakis returns wide and the Bulgarian holds.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 3-4 Kokkinakis*
Dimitrov slices just wide of the line. He is struggling on his backhand wing. 15-0. Dimitrov nets the second serve. 30-0. A great second serve sets up the forehand winner for Thanasi. 40-0. Dimitrov makes a nice backhand winner down the line. 40-15. Game Kokkinakis after Dimitrov nets.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 3-3 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis sprays wide. 15-0. Double fault from Dimitrov. 15-15. Kokkinakis drills the forehand returns into the net. 30-15. The Aussie hits long. 40-15. Grigor looking for a comfortable game here. But he slices well long. 40-30. Dimitrov clubs a forehand winner. Game to the Bulgarian.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 2-3 Kokkinakis*
The Bulgarian guesses right as Thanasi comes forward and he forces the Aussie to go wide. 0-15. The Bulgarian can't return the first serve. 15-15. Thanasi nets after Dimitrov makes the return. 15-30. Another big point here. Kokkinakis nets again and it's two break points for Grigor. 15-40. Just ticked over three hours here. Dimitrov nets on the return. 30-40. Dimitrov hits long and Kokkinakis saves both break points. Deuce. Dimitrov gets it deep and Kokkinakis sprays long. Break point. Adv Dimitrov. The Australian pulls out an ace however. Deuce. Kokkinakis hits the forehand wide. Another break point. Can Thanasi hold up? Adv Dimitrov. The Bulgarian nets. Deuce. Kokkinakis' serve is unreturned. Adv Kokkinakis. He serves an ace and gets the game. Saved four break points.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 2-2 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis returns long to open the game. 15-0. He attacks the second serve and Dimitrov nets. 15-15. However the Aussie bunts long on the serve return. 30-15. Kokkinakis makes an amazing running forehand pass. 30-30. Crucial point now. Dimitrov makes the forehand volley drive. Game point. 40-30. Kokkinakis hits the serve return long and the Bulgarian holds.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 1-2 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis misses the line with a forehand drive. 0-15. Danger time. However, he comes to the net and levels the score. 15-15. Kokkinakis makes the smash. 30-15. The Aussie sprays a wild forehand well wide. 30-30. Big point here. Kokkinakis just misses the line and it's break point to the Bulgarian. 30-40. Dimitrov nets halfway up down the line. Deuce. An unreturned serve gives the Aussie a game point. However, he drills into the net going for the winner. Deuce. Kokkinakis makes the stretching volley and the crowd goes wild. Adv Kokkinakis. Dimitrov chips and charges, then makes the volley into open court. Dimitrov hits long after Kokkinakis comes in. Adv Kokkinakis. The Australian slaps a forehand winner. He survives a break point.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 1-1 Kokkinakis
The Bulgarian slaps a forehand winner. Clean. 15-0. Kokkinakis pulls off another magnificent passing shot. 15-15. Thanasi nets after being in a good position in the rally. 30-15. Kokkinakis hooks a forehand wide. 40-15. Game Dimitrov after he drills a clean backhand.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 0-1 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis is serving first. Crucial. Can he build on his momentum? He starts with an unreturned serve. 15-0. The Aussie gets to the drop volley and makes the pass clinically. 30-0. Dimitrov attacks the second serve with a backhand and Kokkinakis can't get it back. 30-15. An unreturned serve hands game point to the Australian. Kokkinakis serves an ace down the middle. Game.
THIRD SET KOKKINAKIS! Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-6 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis has an opportunity to pass but Dimitrov guesses the right way and makes the volley. 15-0. Dimitrov nets during the rally. 15-15. Here the Aussie comes. He attacks and Dimitrov can't make the shot down the line. 15-30. Dimitrov hits long and it's two break points for the Australian. Dimitrov saves the first by attacking the net. 30-40. What a rally. Kokkinakis gets there and we are going to a fourth.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-5 Kokkinakis*
Dimitrov puts away the short ball. 0-15. Will he make his move? Kokkinakis serves an ace down the T. It's just on the edge of the line. 15-15. Dimitrov floats a backhand return long. 30-15. Dimitrov can't return the serve. 40-15. And an ace secures the game. Kokkinakis is fighting.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 4-4 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov puts away the easy smash after getting Kokkinakis on the back foot. 15-0. The Bulgarian then slaps the off forehand for a winner. 30-0. Dimitrov just misses the line with his footwork struggling on that one. 30-15. Kokkinakis nets after Dimitrov approached the net. 40-15. The 13th seed puts away the smash after Kokkinakis' shallow lob. Game.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 3-4 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis has Dimitrov scrambling as he fails to return a backhand down the line. The Bulgarian then whips a forehand winner. The Aussie produces an unforced error. 15-30. The struggles with his first serve have returned. The duo exchange in a long rally with Dimitrov producing an errant shot. 30-30. He then nets one. But responds in style as he turns defence into attack with a lob into the open court before a volley at the net. Kokkinakis powers a great first serve down to grab advantage, as he sends a forehand winner down to hold.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 3-3 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis fires an inch perfect passing shot to grab the first point of the game. The Bulgarian responds immediately. 15-15. Two unforced errors then follow from the Aussie to burst the excitement of the home crowd. The Aussie goes long as Dimitrov holds.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 2-3 Kokkinakis*
Dimitrov grabs back-to-back points before Kokkinakis responds with a cross-court forehand winner 30-30. An ace down the T. After a long rally, Dimitrov creeps into the net and drops a delicate shot to bring it to deuce. He repeats the trick and this time gets lucky as the ball balances on the net before tipping over. The battle for the game continues as Kokkinakis forces the Bulgarian wide before executing a perfect volley. Kokkinakis holds as the crowd erupts.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 2-2 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis passes Dimitrov who had come in at the net with a forehand drive, but the Bulgarian then responds with an ace. 15-15. The Aussie cuts off the second serve and forces an error to lead. The same first serve comes out in response. 30-30. Dimitrov goes long and the Aussie has a break point as he pumps his fist. Dimitrov misses on the first serve but manages to defend as Kokkinakis goes just too far long with an attempted pass. Ace down the T. Dimitrov holds after finally being put under pressure on his serve as he just about manages to avoid touching the net on the winning point.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 1-2 Kokkinakis*
Dazzling backhand winner from Dimitrov leaves the Aussie cemented to the spot. But then a slice down the line goes wide. 30-15. Kokkinakis replies with an unforced error of his own. 30-30. A long rally and Kokkinakis comes out on top after forcing Dimitrov into an errant backhand. However, it's the same old story as Dimitrov brings it to deuce. Strong serve gives the Aussie advantage which he closes out.
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 1-1 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov races to a 40-0 lead in a vast juxtaposition to Kokkinakis' struggles to hold his serve. The Aussie goes long and it's all over in a blink of an eye.
Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 0-1 Kokkinakis*
Double fault to start for the Aussie in the third set. An ace down the T follows. Then another ace out wide. 30-30. The Aussie powers another first serve down which Dimitrov can't return. But the Bulgarian brings it to deuce with a perfectly judged slice. Break point as Kokkinakis then goes long. Another ace saves the Aussie, before he nets a volley. A big serve once again saves the break. An incredible drop shot at the net trickles at the feet of Kokkinakis as the Bulgarian receives his third break point. We're in a loop though as the Aussie sends down an ace to defend his service game. Kokkinakis eventually manages to hold with another ace down the T.
Dimitrov wins the second set - 6-2
Smoooooooth operator.@GrigorDimitrov claims the second set and with it a commanding 6-3 6-2 lead over Thanasi Kokkinakis.#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/jAyAuuo6bk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024
Dimitrov* 6-3 6-2 Kokkinakis
A Dimitrov serve and attempted volley at the net goes wrong for once. 0-15. And again, as he goes long with a forehand this time. 15-30. A backhand down the line levels the scores before he earns set point. A big serve from the Bulgarian helps him to close it out.
Dimitrov 6-3 5-2 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis responds with two big serves of his own before Dimitrov has an unforced error as the Aussie goes on to win the game to love.
Dimitrov* 6-3 5-1 Kokkinakis
Three massive serves and three easy points. Brilliant drop shot to close out the game and the Bulgarian is cruising.
Dimitrov 6-3 4-1 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis works the space brilliantly before delivering a forehand winner to open the game. The Bulgarian responds with his own winner despite the Aussie landing his first serve. Kokkinakis makes a rare pass after Dimitrov attempted to cut the angle. 30-15. He then lets a hit fly past him as he closes in on the net. 30-30. A drop shot destabilises Kokkinakis' rhythm and earns Dimitrov a break point. The Aussie double faults for a double break.
Dimitrov* 6-3 3-1 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov powers a forehand into the net. 0-15. An ace follows. Kokkinakis unable to return the next one. 30-15. The Bulgarian cruises to an easy hold.
Dimitrov 6-3 2-1 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis makes a rare venture into the net and comes up trumps, while a quality first serve then earns him an easy point. Kokkinakis comes to the net again with Dimitrov looping a return wide. The Bulgarian responds with a forehand winner. He then forces deuce as he cuts off the court with a nice chip and follow up. Dimitrov is dominating close to the net as he punishes a Kokkinakis chip. A forehand winner then brings up break point much to the Aussie's frustration. Kokkinakis dominates the next point though to bring it back to deuce. Dimitrov flashes a right-hand winner down the line to keep the pressure up. Kokkinakis responds with an ace and finally manages to close out the game.
Dimitrov* 6-3 2-0 Kokkinakis
Kokkinakis looks despondent after losing his first service game and keeps clutching at his side as Dimitrov cruises to an easy service game. The Bulgarian is looking ominous.
Dimitrov 6-3 1-0 Kokkinakis*
An ace to start for the Aussie, who continues with his struggles to land first serves. He was operating around the 50 per cent mark in the first set and is something he needs to improve. Two solid serves then follow, before Dimitrov's athleticism allows him to wear Kokkinakis to deuce. The Bulgarian uses the slice to create space and then hits one overhead to earn a break point. He repeats the trick and goes up against the serve.
Dimitrov wins the first set - 6-3
Oooft, that @GrigorDimitrov backhand is a work of art.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024
The Bulgarian has won the first set of Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3.#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/iOVO7turUA
Dimitrov* 6-3 Kokkinakis
Cat and mouse at the net which Dimitrov gets the best of after Kokkinakis is unable to guide a volley. Dimitrov has won 11 of 13 points at the net. Two set points and Dimitrov makes no mistake with a big serve and heavy follow up which forces the Aussie to net.
Dimitrov 5-3 Kokkinakis*
After the previous two long games, Kokkinakis edges in front with an ace before Dimitrov replies with a backhand winner. He goes for the same again but finds the net this time. 30-15. Another backhand goes long before Kokkinakis sends down a powerful first serve.
Dimitrov* 5-2 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov will be kicking himself after missing the chance for a double break in the previous game. His errors are starting to pile up as well as he hands Kokkinakis the first point. The Bulgarian responds in style with two winners in a row- the pick of the bunch a backhander down the line. The Aussie replies with a forehand which sends his opponent the wrong way. 30-30. Kokkinakis earns a break point as he wins the baseline battle, but it's defended with an excellent first serve. Dimitrov sprays one to gift Kokkinakis another break point, yet after an extended 27-shot rally the Bulgarian saves it again. The Aussie refuses to go away though with a winner from the return of serve. On his fourth break point, Dimitrov's wide serve allows him to keep Kokkinakis sprawling. A wild return then hands the Bulgarian the chance to wrap up the game, which he does as the Aussie goes long.
Dimitrov 4-2 Kokkinakis*
Solid first serve to start for the Aussie. The Bulgarian lands his 12th winner of the match so far - compared to Kokkinakis' three - to tie it up. An unforced error from the Aussie and he finds himself in trouble again. Dimitrov sends a backhander straight past his opponent who stands motionless after coming to the net. Two break points. Kokkinakis whips a forehand winner to save one, before Dimitrov slices a drop shot into the net for deuce. Double fault from Kokkinakis, but the Bulgarian then absolutely skies one into the crowd for the second time to send it to deuce again. A Dimitrov drop shot hits the net again as the Aussie stays alive with a forehand winner despite struggling to land most of his first serves.
Dimitrov* 4-1 Kokkinakis
Ace to start for Dimitrov. Kokkinakis sprays a backhand wide but then executes one perfectly to draw level much to the crowd's appreciation. Noise levels only crank louder when the Aussie whips a forehand winner down the line to earn his first break point. We're at deuce though as Dimitrov gets lucky with an overhead smash that trickles off the net and bounces out of reach. The Bulgarian then hits one into the net as he loses the advantage. Two unforced errors from the Aussie allow Dimitrov to consolidate the break.
Dimitrov 3-1 Kokkinakis*
Kokkinakis can't dig one out from the baseline on his return from serve. 0-15. An unforced error from Dimitrov squares things up. The Aussie sends a searching forehand into the corner which can only be returned into the net. Then Dimitrov powers a forehand winner down the line from a tight angle. Kokkinakis sends a backhand into the net and it's break point. Dimitrov comes in after a precise slice and converts at first opportunity.
Dimitrov* 2-1 Kokkinakis
Dimitrov wanders into the net and executes a perfect drop shot that the Aussie doesn't even attempt to return. Another ace from the Bulgarian before he finds success again close to the net with a volley. Easy service game.
Dimitrov 1-1 Kokkinakis*
Forehand winner down the line brings a massive roar from the home crowd to open Kokkinakis' service game. Then Dimitrov skews his return from a serve into the stands - solid catch from a fan. Kokkinakis finally lands a first serve for an ace, before an unforced error from the Bulgarian ties the scores.
Dimitrov* 1-0 Kokkinakis
An ace to start with for the Bulgarian. Kokkinakis scores his first point of the match when Dimitrov drives a forehand into the net. 30-15. He then goes long during a short rally to level the scores. An ace down the T before the Aussie nets wraps up his service game.
*Denotes server
Start
Pre-match: The players are out and going through their warm-up. Dimitrov will serve first.
Pre-match: It's been a marathon day at John Cain Arena so far, are we in for another thriller between Dimitrov and Kokkinakis? They're due on court soon.
Pre-match: Dimitrov and Kokkinakis was scheduled for a 4pm AEDT start, although a five-set thriller between Alexander Zverev and Lukas Klein has played out at the John Cain Arena.
That game was followed by a match-up between Sloane Stephens and Daria Kasatkina, which the American emerged victorious in.
How to watch Grigor Dimitrov vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Television
The match between the Bulgarian and Australian will be telecast live on free-to-air TV via Channel Nine's main and HD channel.
The pair will face off on Thursday, January 18 from 4:00 pm AEDT onwards.
Live stream
Dimitrov vs Kokkinakis' second round match can be watched on live stream via Stan Sport, which has every game live via their platform.
Channel Nine's free streaming service 9Now will also have the game available to watch.
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