Kokkinis “doing it for Australia” at Melbourne Park | 19 January, 2025 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Australians Tahlia Kokkinis, Duje Markovina and Ymerali Ibraimi have made profitable begins to their junior Australian Open 2025 campaigns.

19 January 2025 | Tennis Australia

Promising younger Australian, Tahlia Kokkinis, launched her AO 2025 Ladies’ Singles marketing campaign with a powerful 10 wins^th seed, Rositsa Dencheva, received 6-3 6-2.

The 16-year-old woman thanked the group, particularly the youthful members, for serving to her win the primary spherical.

“I actually loved the expertise and I beloved the stadium. I’d say the group was the most effective factor in regards to the present. Particularly the little children, they might say, “c’mon Tahlia” after I wanted that additional push, and it actually lifted me up. That victory was actually their victory,” he mentioned.

In her second look on the Australian Open women occasion, Kokkinis got here up with the expertise she gained at Melbourne Park final 12 months.

“As a result of it is the second time I have been right here, I am used to the digital telephones and I performed just a few WTA qualifiers and the primary time I performed I used to be very nervous and I discovered from that,” she mentioned.

“The larger matches you play, the better it will get.”

“That is why AO is my favourite event on the earth,” he enthused.

Kokkinis expects a troublesome match in opposition to a fierce opponent when he faces Japan’s Kanon Sawashiro within the subsequent spherical, however defined that he’s “doing it for Australia.”

Explaining his objectives for 2025, the 16-year-old referred to his want to compete in all of the minor Grand Slams.

“My objectives are most likely to decrease my degree in order that I can play the smaller Slams,” he mentioned. “And within the WTA, I believe simply attempt to make the highest 600 so I can get into the large tournaments and get extra alternatives.”

In his first match representing Australia, Croatia’s Duje Markovina defeated Japan’s Hugh Kawanishi, 4-6 6-1 6-4.

Regardless of a sluggish begin, Markovina was completely satisfied together with her response within the second set.

“Positively within the first set I used to be not at my greatest. “Some silly selections at 4-4 that took the primary set in his favor,” he mentioned. “However I am very proud of the best way I did within the second stage. I used to be in a position to change the sport to my benefit.”

Whereas holding an Australian passport since delivery, Markovina solely moved to his native Croatia in early 2025.

The 17-year-old is delighted to be driving Australia residence.

“Representing Australia at such a giant stage on the Australian Open is an unbelievable honor for me. It is a great nation,” he mentioned.

Like Kokkinis, Markovina is targeted on increasing her junior Grand Slam expertise past the Australian Open.

“Positively doing my greatest in all of the mini slams. That’s my predominant objective to do as a lot as potential right here in my new residence. And making a brand new transfer on the ATP stage,” mentioned the 17-year-old.

“Brisbane is now my residence. From there it’s my base. Because the coaches are collectively, we’ll resolve what the following steps are.”

Markovina faces a troublesome check within the subsequent spherical in opposition to ninth seed Timofei Derepasko.

In different junior matches, 15-year-old wild card, Ymerali Ibraimi received her first AO junior match in opposition to Brazilian Pedro Albuquerque Dietrich, 7-5 6-3.

The Victorian, who fashions his recreation on Nick Kyrgios, will lock horns with No.2 seed, Amir Omarkhanov, who received in two tight tiebreak units.

Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get on the court docket and have enjoyable!