Thanasi Kokkinakis saved four match points to defeat Ben Shelton in the first match of Australia’s Davis Cup clash against the USA.
The match raised eyebrows before it began, with many questioning the selections of both players over higher-ranked alternatives like Tommy Paul and Alexei Popyrin.
Kokkinakis however silenced those critics early, storming through the opening set 6-1 in just 23 minutes.
Ben Shelton responded in the second set, forcing a decisive third-set tiebreak.
In the high-stakes breaker, Kokkinakis saved four match points and finally converted his seventh to seal victory 7-6 (16-14).
The dramatic finish ranks as the joint-sixth longest tiebreak in Davis Cup history.
The ‘incredible’ thing Ben Shelton did in Davis Cup tie-break
With Taylor Fritz fresh off a run to the ATP Finals title match, Kokkinakis faced immense pressure keep Australian hopes alive.
Amid a week dominated by Rafael Nadal’s retirement news, the tennis itself took center stage in this historic Davis Cup rivalry.
The clash between the two most successful nations in Davis Cup history certainly lived up to expectations.
A speechless and exhilarated Kokkinakis reflected afterwards: “Oh man, I don’t know if I’ve been that pumped up in my life. I wanted that one bad, I wanted to help my team.
“I came out playing unbelievable, I thought the second set I was a little bit unlucky but I thought I was playing good tennis throughout. 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.”
On the tiebreak, Kokkinakis added: “It was tough, we were both serving well. I thought I only got probably tight on one shot, I had a little backhand there on match point where I was just a bit hesitant on.
“Apart from that I didn’t have many chances to do anything, he was serving incredible,” the Australian admitted of Shelton. “One or two points here or there, I kept – I can’t even speak. I’m happy.”
Lleyton Hewitt’s gamble pays off
Team captain and two-time winner Lleyton Hewitt’s bold decision to trust Kokkinakis paid off spectacularly.
Despite coming into the match with a negative win record at the team event and no ATP Tour action since the US Open, Kokkinakis proved his mettle on the court.
His confidence was bolstered by victories in both his matches during the qualifiers earlier this year.
Rising to the occasion under intense pressure, Kokkinakis delivered a performance that justified his selection and underlined Hewitt’s belief in his ability to shine when it mattered most.
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