The Happy Slam did not wait long in 2015 to deliver one of its happiest days ever–at least for the Australian crowd.
Six Aussie men advanced to the second round on day one at Melbourne Park, and four did it in five sets. One way or another, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios, James Duckworth, Marinko Matosevic, Bernard Tomic, and Sam Groth found the winners’ circle on Monday.
The greatest theater was saved for Kokkinakis, who contested a night-session thriller against Ernests Gulbis on Court 3. The 18-year-old fought off four match points before winning a wild fifth set to upset Gulbis 5-7, 6-0, 1-6, 7-6(2), 8-6.
Kokkinakis also came close to going down in the decider. He saved all six of the break points he faced during the fifth, including one at 6-6 when a forehand appeared to have sailed long. Review showed it just barely clipped the baseline, thus giving the underdog new life.
“I know it was a good win,” Kokkinakis understated. “There’s more to come. I don’t want to win just one round. Obviously it was my best win yet. I’ll enjoy it for the rest of the night, but tomorrow I’ll need to get prepared for the next match.”
Not long afterward, Kyrgios survived a back-and-forth five-setter of his own inside Margaret Court Arena. The world No. 53, who has played sparingly of late due to a back problem, endured some physical issues but persevered for a 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory over Federico Delbonis.
“That was massive,” kyrgios said of his win.
So was the entire day for the host nation.
Other results:
(WC) James Duckworth d. Blaz Kavicic 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-2 – Two years after a brutally-hot five-setter, Duckworth and Kavcic went five yet again. This time it was the Aussie who prevailed, avenging his 2013 heartbreaker. Duckworth can reach the top 100 if he wins his next match.
Marinko Matosevic d. (Q) Alexander Kudryavtsev 6-4, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 – There was no barrel-roll celebration, as Matosevic was no longer winless in Grand Slams. But this was the veteran Aussie’s first-ever main-draw triumph at the Australian Open. Matosevic will be in the top 70 if he advances to the third round.
Bernard Tomic d. Tobias Kamke 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 – Aside from a disheartened effort in the second-set tiebreaker, Tomic was all business and no nonsense. Next up for the mercurial Aussie in a wide-open draw is Philipp Kohlschreiber, whom he just crushed in Sydney. Tomic is expected to be back in the top 60 even if he loses to the German.
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Sam Groth d. Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-4 – Groth blasted 24 aces and did not get broken a single time. The in-form Aussie will surge into the top 80 and can get into the top 70 with one more win. A showdown with countryman Kokkinkis is on tap for Wednesday.
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Andreas Seppi d. Denis Istomin 5-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 – Since Wimbledon in 2012, Seppi and Istomin have faced each other a ridiculous five times in Grand Slams. Even more amazingly, all five have gone the five-set distance. Seppi holds a 3-2 edge in such encounters after getting the job done in this one. The Italian has a chance at a top 40 spot if he advances one more round.
Viktor Troicki d. Jiri Vesely 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 – In a battle between last week’s two winners, Troicki had more left in the tank. The Serb’s incredible comeback from a year-long suspension seemingly reaches new heights with each passing week. He will be all the way back into the top 50 at the end of this fortnight.
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