SARASOTA/STARNBERG, April 15, 2024
Thanasi Kokkinakis has captured the title of the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open. The No. 3 seed of the $82,000 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event defeated fourth favourite Zizou Bergs from Belgium 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 in Sunday’s singles final.
Kokkinakis fought his way into the championship match with wins in the bottom half of the draw over Croatian qualifier Matija Pecotic, Alexander Ritschard of Switzerland, No. 7 seed Gabriel Diallo of Canada and Australian Marc Polmans.
The 28-year-old Australian hit nine aces and won 78 per cent of his first-service points in the title match to secure victory in two hours and nine minutes.
Too good from Thanasi 🤌
Aussie @TKokkinakis gets the better of Bergs 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 in Sarasota to lift his sixth career Challenger title #ATPChallenger | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/JInvK5iqHr
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 14, 2024
“This is my springboard to the French Open. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel any pressure out there,” said Kokkinakis, who secured his main draw spot for Roland Garros in May.
“That made it tough but I just kept fighting. I knew what was at stake. I kept pushing hard and found a way to win.”
Kokkinakis claimed his sixth ATP Challenger Tour career title, his first of the season. The 28-year-old Adelaide native collected $11,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
The Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open was held on green clay at the Payne Park Tennis Center in Sarasota, a charming city located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Sarasota is known for its stunning beaches, cultural diversity, and rich history. The city offers a unique blend of natural beauty, artistic scene, and top-notch recreational opportunities that attract visitors from around the world.
One of the main features of Sarasota is its beautiful beaches, including the famous Siesta Key Beach with its powdery white sand, regularly voted as one of the best beaches in the United States. Sarasota also boasts a rich cultural scene. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a must-visit for art enthusiasts, housing an extensive collection of European paintings and the historic Ca’ d’Zan Mansion, once the home of the Ringlings.
