BERNIE TOMIC ONE OF FOUR AUSSIES STILL REMAINING IN BRISBANE, BEATS KOKKINAKIS TO REACH QUARTERFINALS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 7th January 2015

Brisbane International tennis tournament

Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis in action during his first round match against Julien Benneteau of France at the Brisbane International tennis tournament, in Brisbane, Australia, 05 January 2015. The tournament runs January 4-11. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa04547094 Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis in action during his first round match against Julien Benneteau of France at the Brisbane International tennis tournament, in Brisbane, Australia, 05 January 2015. The tournament runs January 4-11. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Photo by @teamtomic_ via Instagram

Tomic one of four Aussies still remaining in Brisbane, beats Kokkinakis to reach QFs

By Ricky Dimon

Bernard Tomic is looking leaner and meaner–in the tennis sense, of course–at the beginning of this 2015 season. Combine the result of what appears to be a more determined work ethic with Tomic’s favorite time of the year (the Australian summer) and you have a man who can do serious damage at this week’s Brisbane International.

The tournament is already off to an outstanding start for the 22-year-old Aussie, who reached the semifinals in 2012 and is also a two-time finalist in Sydney (one title, one runner-up). Tomic fought past Sam Querrey 7-5, 7-6(5) on Monday and beat countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-6(2), 6-1 in the second round on Wednesday.

In the all-Aussie showdown, both men held serve throughout the first set. Kokkinakis saved two break points to force a tiebreaker, which Tomic dominated seven points two two. The 18-year-old underdog struggled thereafter, surrendering two early service donations in the second set.

Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in action during his first round match against Julien Benneteau of France at the Brisbane International tennis tournament, in Brisbane, Australia, 05 January 2015. The tournament runs January 4-11. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

“For sure, not an easy match,” Tomic commented. “It was expected a lot for me to win this match and I had to prepare a lot, and it’s not easy playing someone young. I remember myself when I was young and playing well and aggressive. I was happy to come out on court to play the way I played. Very happy.”

“I just thought I had my chances and I didn’t take them,” Kokkinakis lamented. “(I) didn’t serve great in the second set. He got a few early points on my serve in the second and then he was able to dictate.”

Kokkinakis and Grigor Dimitrov will contest a quarterfinal doubles match on Thursday against Robert Lindstedt and Marcin Matkowski. A win in that one would prevent the world No. 149 from playing in Sydney qualifying, but he could get a wild card into the main draw.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Australia, Bernard Tomic, Brisbane, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Thanasi Kokkinakis, The Grandstand

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10sBalls_com says:

January 7, 2015 at 1:39 pm

TOMIC ONE OF FOUR AUSSIES STILL REMAINING IN #BRISBANE, BEATS @TKokkinakis TO REACH QUARTERFINALS BY @Dimonator http://t.co/0ZkLskzkH7 #ATP
Dimonator says:

January 7, 2015 at 2:18 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: TOMIC ONE OF FOUR AUSSIES STILL REMAINING IN #BRISBANE, BEATS @TKokkinakis TO REACH QUARTERFINALS BY @Dimonator http://t.…