Thanasi Kokkinakis was surprised Ben Shelton was his opponent during the Davis Cup finals.
The Australian opened his country’s quarter-final tie against the United States in Malaga against the World number 21.
They produced a thrilling three-set encounter which Kokkinakis claimed on final set tiebreak, the longest in the Davis Cup finals history.
The 28-year-old’s victory was all the more impressive given he was expecting to play Olympic bronze medalist Tommy Paul and not Ben Shelton.
Thanasi Kokkinakis shocked by his USA Davis Cup finals opponent
Thanasi Kokkinakis ensured Australia drew first blood in their Davis Cup quarter-final tie against the Untied States.
Kokkinakis saved four match points before sealing a 6-1 4-6 7-6 (16-14) victory to ensure he came out on top in his first ever meeting against Shelton.
But the former World number 65 was surprised he was up against the young American, having expected to play against Tommy Paul.
“We didn’t think Ben was going to play. We were under the assumption Tommy was going to play. I hadn’t seen Ben the last 2 days,” Kokkinakis told reporters.
“I saw Tommy earlier at breakfast so I thought he was maybe going to play. He warmed up with Taylor earlier. It was a surprise to me.”
Australia aiming to add to impressive Davis Cup tally
Australia eliminated the United States, who have won more Davis Cup titles than any other nation with 32.
The Aussies are second on that list with 28 and they will fancy their chances at going one better than a year ago and winning the title.
The Australians, captained by former World number one Lleyton Hewitt, will face either Argentina or defending champions Italy in the semi-finals.
“Oh man, I don’t know if I’ve been that pumped up in my life,” Kokkinakis said. “I wanted that one badly.
“Could’ve gone either way towards the end, that’s tennis, but I kept my nerve and I really wanted to win for the boys.”
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