Finally injury-free and finally realizing his potential, Thanasi Kokinakis has advanced to back-to-back Adelaide International semi-finals.
Kokinakis overcame early problems with his vision and a broken break-point to book a spot in the final four of the Adelaide International 2 on Thursday night with a 6-7 (7-5) 6-3 6-2 return A nightmare of opportunities. Won over fellow Australian Aleksandr Vukic.
The 25-year-old's reward is a shot at 2014 US Open champion and 2018 Australian Open runner-up Marin Cilic for a spot in the finals.
World number 29 Cilic had earlier made it to the last four with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over American Tommy Paul.
Kokinakis lost to Gael Monfils in the semifinals at the Adelaide International 1 last week, but now has a chance to go all the way in the tournament's sequel.
Kokinakis would have had an easier night against Vukic if it weren't for his inability to convert his break point chances, after ousting American John Isner in power on Wednesday.
He was 0-11 until he secured a break late in the second set.
"Don't remind me, I was counting them for myself every time," Kokinakis said when asked about his chances of missed break points during his on-court interview.
"I thought I could have won the first set 6-1 or 6-2.
“He was coming in with some good serves, I was a little awkward, I was trying not to lose my marbles completely.
"And then, 2-1 in the second set, I was 0-11, I was really going to lose it.
"Thankfully I took one and finally I let it go and started playing tennis better than the other."
Kokinakis had plenty of chances in the opening set but failed to convert any of his nine break-point chances.
Vukic only created a break point chance - which he could not convert - but he held his nerves during the tiebreak to secure the set in 65 minutes.
Kokinakis was unable to see the ball properly several times by saying "I can't see the ball" at one stage of the tiebreak.
He requested eye drops from the physio during the break to clear his vision.
"My concentration was going off. I felt really flat on energy," Kokinakis said.
"I felt like I was missing the ball... I was picking it up late. I was feeling a little dizzy.
"I've heard that the eye drops have helped. This is actually the first time I've used them in a match. It cleared my vision way better than I thought.
"I'm happy. Maybe I'll give the physio a little cut (of my win)."
Kokinakis' disappointment increased early in the second set as he missed opportunities for his 10th and 11th break points.
He roared a loud celebration when he finally converted one into the other to go up 5-3, and he replayed eight of the final 10 games of the match to take the win in 2hr.13min. Won.
Corentin Moutet and Arthur Rinderknecht will face each other in the second semi-final.