- Local hero clinches deciding tiebreak to defeat Sebastian Ofner
- Six Australian men through to second round
If he was going out, it was clear Thanasi Kokkinakis was going out big. But the Melbourne Park favourite delivered when it mattered, securing a dramatic first round, five-set win over a valiant Sebastian Ofner, 7-6, 2-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6.
His victory means six Australian men progressed through to the second round at this year’s tournament – the same as last year despite a larger contingent in 2024.