Unseeded Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed his first ATP title in style after defeating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the Adelaide International men's singles final on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old, who has battled a number of injuries over the past few years, earlier beat number two seed John Isner in the round of 16 on his way to the deciding match.
Kokkinakis had to dig deep to claim silverware in South Australia with Rinderknech winning the first set of the final 7-6 (8-6) before the Aussie held his nerve to claim the second set in another tie-break.
With the momentum swinging in his favour, Kokkinakis then claimed the match's first break of serve in the opening game of the deciding set and never looked back to win it in convincing fashion.
"I wouldn't want to win my first title anywhere else," he said post-match.
"To my family, friends and coaches, what a ride it's been. You have seen me at my lowest lows and now the highest high. It's been a serious journey. For now I am so happy.
“I’ve been playing and practising on this court since I was eight or nine years old, coming here before school every day. I love this court so much.
"When I saw that final ball went long, I don't think I've ever felt emotions like that.You grow up playing, you never know if it's ever going to happen.
"I made one final before. Down a set, down a mini break in the breaker. From then on, from 2-0 in the second set, I started to play really good tennis."
'15: Undergoes shoulder surgery
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 15, 2022
'16: Finishes year without ranking
'17: Ends season after US Open
'18: Suffers fractured kneecap
'19: Suffers pulled pectoral
'20: Does not compete all year
'21: Recovers fitness, wins Challenger title
'22: Wins first ATP title
🙏 @TKokkinakis pic.twitter.com/CblypgDoPs
Kokkinakis can't celebrate his triumph for too long with the Aussie set to face German Yannick Hanfmann in the Australian Open first round on Monday.
Currently ranked outside the top 100 men's singles players, Kokkinakis has never made it past the tournament's second round but will this time arrive in Melbourne with a title to his name.
The 25-year-old's win in Adelaide turned plenty of heads with the Aussie revealing on his Instagram story a message he received from Roger Federer after the victory.
"Maiden title at home big fella, love the sound of that Thanaser. Amazing...keep going," Federer wrote.
Federer's message is all the classier considering Kokkinakis famously beat the Swiss star in 2018 at a tournament in Miami.