Australian Thanasi Kokinakis is once again emerging as a dangerous floater in the upcoming Australian Open after proving his giant-killing abilities with a thrilling three-set win over John Isner.
Kokinakis won a set in two hours 42 minutes 6-7 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) at the Adelaide International 2 on Wednesday.
The win opened the quarter-final match against fellow Australian Aleksandr Vukic, who beat world number 84 American Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-5 on the opening day.
Kokinakis, who defeated 20-time major winner Roger Federer in 2018 but struggled with injuries throughout his career, enjoyed a perfect lead-in at next week's Australian Open.
She defeated world number 38 Frances Tiafoe last week on her way to the semi-finals of the Adelaide International 1, and her victory over world number 24 John Isner was further proof of what she suffered in the year's opening majors could. ,
Neither Isner nor Kokinakis were broken for the entire match, but the Australian got at least five break-point chances - all in the opening set.
Isner didn't get a single break-point chance in the match, but his brilliant serve was enough to save him time and time again.
The 208cm American took the opening set in the tiebreaker and was just three points away from winning the match after taking a 4-2 lead in the second set tiebreak.
However, Kokinakis lost five of the next six points and took the tie into the decider before registering an impressive victory in the third-set tiebreak.
Isner hit 25 aces in Kokinakis' 15, but he also made 31 unforced errors for the match.
Kokinakis made only 14 unforced errors to go with his 47 winners.
"Playing him isn't fun," Kokinakis said during his on-court interview after the match.
"I've had some disappointing things in life, but he's definitely up. You feel like you're being sidelined (how well he serves).
"It ends up being about how I can distract him (when he's serving) without being an idiot.
"I was trying to stand on the fence, stand closer, I don't know. That's why he's been so nice for so long.
"I just hoped he missed the service the first time around, or if he made a comeback somehow."
On paper, world tennis superstars wouldn't be too nervous about the player being ranked 145th in the world.
But that won't happen when he faces Kokinakis, who has earned a wildcard for the Australian Open.
Back in 2015, tennis great John Newcomb said that Kokinakis had the talent to be a top 20, top 10 or even top-five player in the world.
Shoulder, pectoral, groin, knee and elbow injuries have since brutalized Kokinakis' hopes of reaching his potential, but a clean bill of health could finally allow him to fulfill his tennis fortune.