Kokkinakis’s emotional return
At the Adelaide International 250, the hometown talent Thanasi Kokkinakis delivered one of the season’s most emotional moments. Returning after a year away following chest surgery, he defeated American Sebastian Korda in a gripping three-set match, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, to kick off his comeback in front of a raucous crowd.
In his first singles match since the 2025 Australian Open, Kokkinakis turned the tide after a slow start and battled through pain, ultimately sealing the decider in a tense tiebreak. He admitted later that shoulder trouble forced him to seek medical attention, and at times he wondered if withdrawal was the wiser option, but pressed on for his city’s fans.
“Twelve tough months are behind me, but this win makes every bit of effort worthwhile,” he told the ATP Tour site. “I’m not sure how long I can go with the pain, but I’ll fight to give my best here.”
Next up for the Australian is Valentin Fashiro, a Monaco star who caused a big stir last year by winning a Shanghai Masters title, after Fashiro defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6, 6-4 in a strong showing.
In other early action, American Reilly Opelka fired 22 aces to beat Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 7-6, earning a second-round date with his close friend and No. 2 seed Tommy Paul.
Spanish youngster Jaume Munar produced a standout performance against Daniel Altmaier, erasing a 0-3 deficit to win 6-3, 6-0 and set a meeting with third seed Francisco Cerúndolo.
Ugo Humbert captured the French duel with Terence Atmane 6-3, 7-6, paving a path toward a clash with fourth seed Talon Griekspoor.
Hobart 250 – women’s draw
In Hobart’s 250-point women’s event, American second seed McCartney Kisler fell in the opening round to Serbian Olga Danilović, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, leaving Kisler to regroup and watch the tournament unfold with the winner of Krejčíková vs. Stearns looming in the second round.
Fifth seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was upset by Australian Tayla Preston, 6-4, 7-6, earning a second-round date with the Krejčíková–Stearns victor as the draw opens wide for upsets. Seventh seed Emiliana Arango dropped to Croatia’s Antonia Rozic 7-5, 6-1, while Solana Sierra, who beat Katie McNally 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, advanced in a tightly contested match.
Fourth seed An Li outplayed Katie Volynets 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach a meeting with Italy’s Elisabetta Cocchiaro, who dispatched Ayano Shimizu 6-3, 6-4. Renata Zarazua then outlasted Hailey Baptiste 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 and awaited the winner of Eva Jevich and Janice Tgien in a bid to keep the momentum rolling in the event.
Overall, the day offered a mix of heartbreak and hope as the calendar pivots to spring. Kokkinakis’s comeback provided a bright highlight, with several others flashing potential for the season ahead.
Two light lines to close: 1) If comebacks were a sport, Kokkinakis just filed for a sponsorship. 2) He wins games, not just hearts—and that’s not a bad serve to have in your repertoire.
