Kokkinakis sees off Cilic, Keys to face Riske in Adelaide final

  • 1/14/2022
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ADELAIDE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Australia"s Thanasi Kokkinakis reached his first ATP final in almost five years after battling fourth seed Marin Cilic at the Adelaide International 2 tournament on Friday, while Madison Keys sealed a comeback victory over third seed Coco Gauff. Local hope Kokkinakis beat Cilic 6-2 3-6 7-6(10) in two hours and 38 minutes, reaching his career-second ATP final since the Los Cabos Open in Mexico in August 2017. The 25-year-old prevailed against world number 29 Cilic in a lengthy tie-breaker, edging the former U.S. Open champion 12-10 in the decider. "I was just playing on adrenaline," Kokkinakis said in his on-court interview before thanking the home crowd for their support. "You guys got me through honestly. "I am going to enjoy this tonight, as much as I can, and get my body mentally and physically ready for tomorrow. It"s going to be a tough final." In Saturday"s title clash, Kokkinakis will face Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, whowill be playing in his first ATP final after beatingcompatriot Corentin Moutet 6-1 6-3. World number 58 Rinderknech, who sent down six aces, won 90% of points on his first serve and broke his opponent four times in a controlled display on Centre Court to win in 76 minutes. "It"s a great achievement," the 26-year-old Rinderknech told reporters. "I"m really happy to be in the final. It"s a new step again. I made the semi-final in Kitzbuhel last summer. Now final here for my first tournament of the year." In the women"s event, Keys booked herself a spot in the final by beating Gauff 3-6 6-2 7-5 in a close last set. Keys will meet Alison Riske in an all-American title clash on Saturday. Riske advanced to the final after Slovenia"s Tamara Zidansek withdrew from their semi-final match due to an abdominal injury. It was the second straight withdrawal or retirement Riske benefited from en route to the final after Madison Brengle retired injured at 3-3 in their quarter-final match. "Coco is a phenomenal player," Keys, bidding to win her first title since Charleston in 2019, told reporters. "I knew I was going to have to play some of my best tennis. "She"s such a good mover that you have to win the point two and three times because she"s so good at resetting the point." Keys described finalist Riske as a "great fighter". "Her backhand down the line is phenomenal," Keys added. "We played each other in practice like three weeks ago. I"m sure we both know a lot about the other one."

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