Kokkinakis creates 16 break chances, beats Eubanks at Phoenix Challenger

Thanasi Kokkinakis made a statement Wednesday, when he ousted top seed Christopher Eubanks 7-5, 7-5 at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Australian dictated with his serve and forehand, even striking heavy second serves to keep World No. 34 Eubanks from taking an aggressive return stance. Meanwhile, Kokkinakis created his own chances against the 6'7" American, converting three of his 16 break points to advance at the Arizona Tennis Classic after one hour, 55 minutes.

"I just tried to make as many as returns as possible and back myself off the ground, try and make him play the extra ball," Kokkinakis said in his on-court interview. "I thought we both were struggling at the start, just trying to find rhythm. Through the second set, the tennis got better and it was a really close match."

Cooking with @TKokkinakis 🍳

The Australian is off to the final 16 defeating top seed Chris Eubanks 7-5, 7-5!#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/8OB7z1FA6t

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 14, 2024

Kokkinakis will next meet another big server in Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who beat Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-2.

Former No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings Fabio Fognini also earned a straight-sets win, overcoming wild card Michael Mmoh 7-6(4), 6-2. Defending Phoenix champion Nuno Borges cruised past Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-4 while Luca Van Assche was a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 winner against Cristian Garin.

Fans can tune into Challenger TV to watch all ATP Challenger Tour matches live and on demand at no cost. Among Thursday's card, Matteo Berrettini faces Arthur Cazaux and Borges meets Benoit Paire.

^{Fabio Fognini in first-round action Wednesday at the Phoenix Challenger. Credit: Mike Lawrence}