Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech has reached the final of the Adelaide International 2 where he will face the local boy, Thanasi Kokkinakis for the title and champion’s spoils.
Super stoked for the start of the year obviously. Spoke earlier, my goal is to try to stay healthy and give myself a chance. After having a deep run last week, I wasn't sure how I was going to pull up Thanasi Kokkinakis
Rinderknech progressed to his first career tour-level final thanks to a comfortable 6-1 6-3 win over compatriot Corentin Moutet while in contrast, Kokkinakis had to battle past the only seeded player left in the draw, Marin Cilic 6-2 3-6 7-6(10).
The 26-year-old Rinderknecht dominated with his serve as he controlled Moutet, saving the only two break points he faced as he powered to victory after 76-minutes.
He did frustrate his countryman somewhat when he got involved in a lengthy discussion with the umpire over a call but the 22 unforced errors he made didn’t help his cause.
“Of course really happy with this win and to be in the final tomorrow,” Rinderknech said. “This is my first time in Australia, actually, so I’m really enjoying the country. Can’t wait to visit Melbourne next week.”
Kokkinakis survived a two-hour 38-minute thriller for a chance to win his first tour title which his final opponent is also chasing!
“Super stoked for the start of the year obviously. Spoke earlier, my goal is to try to stay healthy and give myself a chance. After having a deep run last week, I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull up,” Kokkinakis told the ATP website.
“I was in two minds: Do I play this week or go to Melbourne and freshen up, get ready for [the] AO [Australian Open]?
“My thing was I didn’t want to take these tour events for granted. I know how few and far between they were last year. Mentally I was cooked after last week, but if I can get physically to a point where I’m okay to start next week, hopefully with the home crowd and everything, I’ll find it.”
It could prove to be an exciting final on Saturday.
Further Reading
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Paris | Women’s Preview – Who will challenge clear favourite Swiatek?
The draw for the French Open was conducted on Thursday evening and, unsurprisingly, heading the field is World No 1 Iga Swiatek, who is bidding to win her second Roland Garros title, but the favourite for the title has dangerous floaters in her path to a second final...
London | ATP, WTA and ITF face backlash after stripping Wimbledon of ranking points
The decision by the ATP, WTA and ITF to strip Wimbledon of ranking points as a punishment over the AELTC’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players from competing at The Championships has been met with outrage on the part of many.
London | Full statements by ATP, WTA and ITF on removal of ranking points at Wimbledon
Tennis Threads posts the full statements made by the ATP, WTA and ITF on Friday 20 May on the stripping of Ranking Points at this year's Championships at Wimbledon.
Lyon | Norrie scrambles through to final
Cameron Norrie no doubt breathed a sigh of relief when he finally closed out his semi-final clash against the fast-rising Danish star Holger Rune to reach the title round of the Lyon Open in the South of France.
