Two-time Atlanta Open champion Alex de Minaur has begun the defence of his 2022 title with a 6-3 6-4 win over good good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis of their first ATP Tour conflict.
And second seed de Minaur has been joined within the quarter-finals by fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who toppled Japan’s fourth-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in scorching situations on the hardcourt occasion on Wednesday.
World No.17 de Minaur was down a break early within the second set in opposition to Kokkinakis however fought again to arrange a conflict with France’s Ugo Humbert, who noticed off South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
“I let him dictate too much so I tried to step in and play on my terms, which is what got me the first set,” de Minaur advised atptour.com.
“I’m happy to live and fight another day.
“Thanasi is an excellent good friend. We know one another nicely and simply yesterday we had been hanging out all day. It’s at all times difficult to play a mate.”
World No.82 Vukic arrange a quarter-final encounter with fifth seed Christopher Eubanks, who ousted fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 7-5.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
