Thanasi Kokkinakis has gone some way towards vanquishing last year's heartbreaking Australian Open loss to Andy Murray by claiming a typical five-set victory in his Melbourne Park opener.
A year on from his 4am exit after a marathon with five-time runner-up Murray, Kokkinakis outlasted Austrian Sebastian Ofner 7-6(7/1), 2-6, 6-7(4/7), 6-1, 7-6(10/8) in front of a raucous crowd.
In the process, the 27-year-old teed up a tantalising clash with 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Marton Fucsovics earlier on Tuesday.
The gruelling 4 hour, 18 minute clash, coming back from a two-sets-to-one deficit, brought the best out of the Australian.
"Mate, I wish I could do it easier but I can't," he said.
"I've got the mental focus of a three-year-old.
"However I can get it done, you guys [the crowd] are amazing. Without you, no chance I'm winning."
Kokkinakis let last year's second-round clash with Murray slip over the course of five hours and 45 minutes — the second-longest match in Australian Open history.
Kokkinakis battled through a see-sawing match tie-break to reach the second round for a fifth time.
The South Australian landed two match points and while Ofner managed to save the first on serve he hit the second on Kokkinakis's serve into the net.
Kokkinakis will attempt to reach the third round for the first time when he faces No.13 seed Dimitrov.
"Grigor's a hell of a player, been doing this for a while now and he is in some great form right now," Kokkinakis said.
"But yeah, I back myself … I've beaten high-ranked players before, I've lost to lower-ranked players. It's a number.
"It's about coming out on the day and playing my best tennis — hopefully I can do that."
Meanwhile, AjlaTomljanović came from two breaks down in the final set to defeat CroatianPetra Martić.
Tomljanović won the opening set, which lasted more than an hour, in a tie-break before struggling to hold her serve in the second.
Down two break points in the final set,Tomljanović looked out of the contest before reeling off five straight games to claim victory7-6(7/3), 4-6, 6-4.
"I really was out at one point," she said.
"I felt like she was kind of toying with me and I couldn't read her serve.
"I'm really grateful that you all [the crowd] stayed this late."
Keep across all the latest from Melbourne Park in our blog below, check out live scores with our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage
AAP/ABC
Key events
- Tomljanović wins five consecutive games to claim victory
- Petra Martić wins second set, takes Ajla Tomljanović into a decider
- Tomljanović finally takes the opening set in a tie-break
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Live updates
Pinned
Locals in action on day three at the Australian Open
By Jon Healy
- Sloane Stephens defOlivia Gadecki (WC)6-3, 6-1
- Alex Michelsen defJames McCabe (WC)7-6(7/5), 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
- Max Purcelldef Mate Valkusz (Q) 3-6, 7-6(7/2), 6-4, 7-5
- Thanasi Kokkinakisdef Sebastian Ofner 7-6(7/1), 2-6, 6-7(4/7), 6-1, 7-6(10/8)
- Jeļena Ostapenko (11) defKim Birrell (WC)7-6(7/5), 6-1
- Ajla TomljanovićdefPetra Martić 7-6(7/3), 4-6, 6-4
That is all for the blog today
By Michael Doyle
We have enjoyed another wonderful day of tennis, with some terrific victories from Aussies.
We will be back again tomorrow as the men's and women's singles draw enter the second round.
We will cover all the action from Melbourne Park live.
Goodnight.
All smiles from Ajla
By Michael Doyle
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What a way to finish Day 3
By Michael Doyle
Amazing grit from Ajla Tomljanovic tonight to come back and take that epic match. Go Aussies!
- Belinda
Could not agree more Belinda.
A sensational performance from Ajla to win.
Tomljanović thanks the crowd for believing in her
By Michael Doyle
Tomljanović is speaking after the match:
I really was out at one point.
I felt like she was kind of toying with me and I couldn't read her serve.
I'm really grateful that you all [the crowd] stayed this late.
Key Event
Tomljanović wins five consecutive games to claim victory
By Michael Doyle
What an outstanding win by AjlaTomljanović.
Down two breaks in the final set, Tomljanović won five consecutive games.
The crowd loved watching it, with a massive roar when she won.
Carlos wants people to love tennis
By Michael Doyle
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Tomljanović levels the third set at 4-4
By Michael Doyle
Go, Ajla go!
She fights back in the eighth game to square the set.
Momentum is with the Australian now.
Tomljanović fighting back but still down in the final set
By Michael Doyle
Tomljanović was down two break points at one stage in this final set, but she has got one of them back.
She is facingMartić's serve, down 3-4.
Tomljanović a break down in the final set
By Michael Doyle
Ajla is battling on serve asMartić turns up the pressure.
Alcaraz wins in three sets
By Michael Doyle
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Key Event
Petra Martić wins second set, takes Ajla Tomljanović into a decider
By Michael Doyle
Why not start earlier in the day?
By Michael Doyle
All the controversy about late night tennis games, what's the reason for not starting the day at 9am in those arenas where the so call big players play.
- Chris
Hey Chris.
I don't have a certain answer, but I can imagine 9am is not the best time commercially.
Alcaraz breezes through second set 6-1
By Michael Doyle
That's more like it from the two-time grand slam winner.
Brilliant from the Spaniard as Gasquet starts to look tired.
Key Event
Tomljanović finally takes the opening set in a tie-break
By Michael Doyle
Ajla had two set points at 5-4 with the serve.
She had the serve at 6-5, but was forced into a tie-break.
But Tomljanović would not be denied, coming through the tie-break 7-3 to go up a set.
Live score: Alcaraz scrapes through opening set tie-break
By Michael Doyle
Both men are holding serve and Gasquet had chances in that tie-break.
But the 2023 Wimbledon champion got the set.
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Tomljanović breaks back in the 11th game
By Michael Doyle
The 11th game of the first set took an age.
Tomljanović was finally able to get the break on her fourth break point attempt.
Meanwhile,Petra Martić had six attempts to close out that game and take a lead in the set.
That service game lasted 18 minutes.
Tomljanović will serve for the set at 6-5.
Tomljanović misses out on two set points
By Michael Doyle
Tomljanović had the break and was serving for the match in the 10th game of the opening set.
She had two set points, but failed to convert and then gave up the break.
5-5, on serve.
Looks like he is playing in a sauna
By Michael Doyle
I reckon Gasquet has had drier showers than this
- Frenchie
Live score: Rybakina through in straight sets
By Michael Doyle
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