Adelaide International 2—Adelaide, Australia
Hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed his maiden ATP Tour title on Saturday in Adelaide, Australia, defeating Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 7-6(5) 6-3. After overcoming the loss of the first set, Kokkinakis raced back to the win the second set in a tiebreaker and never looked back. Slamming 18 aces and winning 90 percent of his first serve points, Kokkinakis needed two hours and 38 minutes to seal his victory.
Moving up to No. 103 in the world, Kokkinakis also made the semifinals in Adelaide last week.
Rinderknech, who was playing in his first ever final, dismissed Karen Khachanov en-route to the championship round. The Frenchman will crack the top 50 on Monday with a ranking of No. 48.
*****
Sydney Tennis Classic—Sydney, Australia
Hard-hitting Russian Aslan Karatsev easily dispatched former three-time Major winner Andy Murray on Saturday in the finals of the Sydney Classic. Claiming his third career title over the Brit with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, Karatsev hit four aces and won 72 percent of his second serve points. By contrast, Murray only won 33 percent of his second serve points.
Moving up to a career high of No. 15 in the world, Karatsev will be defending semifinal points at the Australian Open next week.
Murray, who continues to build his ranking after hip surgery, will be ranked No. 113 on Monday. The former world No. 1 dismissed Reilly Opelka and David Goffin earlier in the event.
