Sensation in Malaga: Kokkinakis topples Shelton!
Thanasi Kokkinakis has just pulled off a minor feat.
Faced with a formidable American team, the Australians seemed to be in a tricky position to qualify for the last four of this Davis Cup. But Kokkinakis didn't think so, as he held off a confident Ben Shelton to earn his country their first point.
More motivated than ever, the world number 77 got off to a perfect start. Serving very well and with enormous intensity at the back of the court, he quickly took the lead of the match (6-1). On the other side of the net, Ben Shelton, ranked 21st in the world, didn't give up and reacted brilliantly. Serving to perfection, he showed his opportunism to come back to within a set (6-1, 4-6).
In a match where neither man wanted to give up, the tie-break in the final set was tighter than ever. Always authoritative on his serve, it was not until the very end that Shelton cracked, giving Kokkinakis and Australia a vital victory (6-1, 4-6, 7-6[16-14]).
The USA now have no choice. They must win the second singles and doubles. And that starts with Taylor Fritz's victory over Alex De Minaur, a player who has often caused problems for the world number 4.
