A titanic clash is looming at the Australian Open that’s sure to draw an enormous crowd featuring two heavyweights.
All going to plan, Special Ks star Thanasi Kokkinakis looks set to face tennis giant Andy Murray in a second round clash on Thursday.
Kokkinakis is yet to complete his first round match with Italian Fabio Fognini, but swept the leads it 6-1, 6-2 4-2 with play suspended due to rain.
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Murray, meanwhile, claimed first round honours over Matteo Berrettini in a five-set, five-hour, tiebreak thriller at Rod Laver Arena.
The man of steel claimed the scalp 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6 to dethrone the 13th seed and set up a second round berth.
Speaking after Kokkinakis’ match was suspended, tennis pro turned commentator Mark Petchey said the 26-year-old still has a lot left in the tank.
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“Well, he hasn’t been to where I think his peak is, that’s for sure,” Petchey said, speaking on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“No.69 in the world is his highest ranking, he’s well outside of that at the moment.
“Obviously (if) he does get through here he plays Andy here and that’s going to be a cracking match.
“From that point of view, I think Thanasi’s best years are ahead of him, for sure.”
As for Murray, the 35-year-old man with a metal hip can’t be counted out.
“That was some magic from Andy,” said Petchey of his first round match.
“He’s a mystery, isn’t he? Still here, 35 years of age. Still coming back here. Metal hip.
“You keep thinking ‘this has got to be it, this has got to be it’ and then he has the heartbreak here. Five finals.
“We’re writing him off, we’re giving him a retirement party, and all of a sudden he comes through in an absolutely epic saving match point (on Tuesday).
“I’ll never count him out. I think he’ll bounce back. But obviously it’s not the perfect start if he wants to make a deep run here.”
Before Kokkinakis faces Murray, two of his countrymen will look to advance to the third round.
Jason Kubler will face Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who beat Nick Kyrgios in last year’s US Open quarter finals.
John Millman, meanwhile, goes head-to-head with Daniil Medvedev. The Russian lost last year’s Australian Open final to Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller.
Petchey has high hopes for Kubler, although the same cannot be said for Millman despite his epic first round win over Marc-Andrea Huesler.
“I love Jason Kubler,” said Petchey.
“We all know the story and the background, but most importantly, his tennis is world-class.
“When he’s on, he is a handful. He has got the game, he has got the ability, he’s got the wins under his belt, more importantly.
“When he takes on Khachanov, I like his chances in that one.”
Petchey wasn’t so keen on Millman’s chances against Russian superstar Medvedev.
“I thought Daniil looked very good (on Monday night) coming back onto heartbreak ridge after what happened to him last year and he put that behind him so emphatically.
“I’m not sure what John’s got in his game apart from endurance, perseverance, and heart. That carries you a long way and that’s carried him through a very illustrious career.
“I just don’t think his serve is big enough to cause Daniil too many problems.”
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