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

Promising younger Australian, Tahlia Kokkinis, launched her AO 2025 ladies’ singles marketing campaign with a formidable win over 10^th seed, Rositsa Dencheva, profitable 6-3 6-2.

The 16-year-old credited the gang, notably the youthful members, with serving to her to a first-round victory.

“I actually loved the expertise and I cherished the court docket. I’d say the gang was the most effective factor of the match. Particularly the little children, they have been saying, “c’mon Tahlia” after I wanted that further push, and it actually lifted me. That win was actually their win,” she mentioned.

In her second look within the Australian Open ladies occasion, Kokkinis is drawing on the skilled gained at Melbourne Park final yr.

“As a result of it’s my second time right here I’ve gotten used to the digital line calls and I additionally performed a few WTA quallies tournaments and the primary time I performed I obtained actually nervous after which I learnt from that,” she mentioned.

“The larger matches you play, the simpler it turns into.”

“That’s why AO is my favorite match on the earth,” she beamed.

Kokkinis expects a troublesome match in opposition to an aggressive opponent when she faces Japan’s Kanon Sawashiro subsequent spherical, however defined she is “doing it for Australia.”

Outlining her targets for 2025, the 16-year-old referenced her want to contest all of the junior Grand Slams.

“My targets are most likely to get my junior rating down so I can play the junior Slams,” she mentioned. “And for the WTA, I feel simply try to make the highest 600 so I can get into larger qualies tournaments and get extra alternatives.”

In his first match representing Australia, Croatian-born junior Duje Markovina defeated Japan’s, Hyu Kawanishi, 4-6 6-1 6-4.

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

“Undoubtedly within the first set I wasn’t at my high stage. Some silly selections at 4-4 which took the primary set on his aspect,” he mentioned. “However I’m very completely satisfied how I reacted within the second set. I managed to show the match round in my benefit.”

Whereas he has held an Australian passport since start, Markovina solely made the change from his native Croatia in the beginning of 2025.

The 17-year-old is completely satisfied to name Australia dwelling.

“Representing Australia on such an enormous stage this Australian Open is an incredible honour for me. It’s an incredible nation,” he mentioned.

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

“Undoubtedly to do the most effective that’s potential in all of the junior slams. That’s my major purpose to do as a lot as potential right here in my new dwelling. And to make new strikes on the ATP stage,” the 17-year-old mentioned.

“Brisbane is now my dwelling. From there it’s my base. With coaches collectively, we’ll resolve what the subsequent steps are.”

Markovina faces a harder take a look at within the subsequent spherical in opposition to ninth seed, Timofei Derepasko.

In different junior matches, 15-year-old wildcard, Ymerali Ibraimi gained his maiden AO junior match in opposition to Brazilian, Pedro Albuquerque Dietrich, 7-5 6-3.

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