Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis and Rinky Hijikata advanced to the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International Tennis tournament, showcasing extraordinary talent on their home turf. Kokkinakis, who previously claimed the title three years ago, triumphed over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a thrilling scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) during a taxing match at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on January 8, 2025.
Fans at the venue experienced the exuberance of the local favorite as Kokkinakis hit an impressive 23 aces throughout the match. The crowd’s energy was palpable, and Kokkinakis expressed deep gratitude after his victory, stating, "I don't love playing anywhere else more than this—you guys are incredible." He noted the spirited support contributed significantly to his performance, especially during the intense tie-breaker.
The gripping encounter lasted over three hours, which tested the mettle of both players. Despite dropping the second set, Kokkinakis maintained composure, especially during the decisive moments. Reflecting on the match, he acknowledged, "Tomas is a hell of a player; I knew it was going to be a dog fight, so I just tried to stay calm and pulled out of a couple of tricky situations." After securing his place, he now looks forward to facing the second-seed, Sebastian Korda.
Meanwhile, fellow Australian Rinky Hijikata also put on an impressive display, moving past seventh seed Brandon Nakashima with his own three-set victory of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5). Hijikata's road to the quarterfinals has been unorthodox, having initially lost during the qualifying rounds but earning his main draw spot as a lucky loser after the withdrawal of another competitor.
"I was pretty pumped" about his win, Hijikata told reporters shortly after the match. His victory over Nakashima marked his first win against the American after previously losing to him on two occasions. Hijikata’s agile gameplay and aggressive tactics helped him dominate the first set. After dropping the second, he fought back to clinch the tiebreaker, showcasing resilience and skill under pressure.
The advancing Australians, Kokkinakis and Hijikata, provided bright spots for local fans who saw mixed outcomes for other compatriots. Chris O'Connell and Li Tu faced defeats, with O'Connell losing 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 to Serbia's Miomir Kecmanović, and Tu suffering a straight-sets loss to Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, 6-3, 6-3.
This year's Adelaide International has been particularly significant for Kokkinakis, who still recalls past close encounters with Korda where he felt unfinished business loomed. Kokkinakis revealed, "I had match points on him in Washington and he shanked a ball past me on the line... so I've kind of still got demons about it." Having lost all three previous meetings against Korda, Kokkinakis is focusing intensely on the upcoming quarterfinal clash against the formidable opponent.
Kokkinakis's and Hijikata's performances remind fans of the talent brewing within Australia's tennis scene. Their determination and ability to succeed under pressure sets the tone for what could be a memorable couple of matches. The Adelaide International continues to draw significant crowds and adds excitement to the tennis calendar as the players vie for prestige and ranking points.
With the quarterfinals approaching, fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling encounters between high-caliber players and hopes are high for local stars Kokkinakis and Hijikata to continue making waves at this prestigious tournament.