Sam Groth has won a rollercoaster five-setter to end the Australian Open campaign of teenage countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis and qualify for the third round of a grand slam for the first time.
Owner of the world’s fastest-ever serve, Groth crunched 26 aces to chisel out a memorable 3-6 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-1 victory over one of Australian tennis’ next big things.
The 27-year-old’s reward is either a clash on Friday with German 22nd seed Philipp Kohlschreiber or another all-Australian showdown with Bernard Tomic for a coveted place in the last 16.
“I feel like I’m in career best form and I’m where I’m at in the rankings for a reason,” said Groth, the world No.82 who only broke into the top 100 for the first time last year.
“I’ll come back firing on Friday.”
Kokkinakis was valiant in defeat.
After upsetting world No.13 Ernests Gulbis in his first-ever five-set match on Monday night, Kokkinakis again threatened to pull off a mighty comeback win from two sets to one down.
But the 18-year-old appeared to twinge a hamstring early in the deciding set as the higher-ranked and more-experienced Groth raced to a 5-0 lead before advancing after two hours and 53 minutes.
The victory continued Groth’s remarkable – and rapid – progression from one-time suburban Melbourne Australian Rules footballer to grand slam challenger.
He qualified for the Wimbledon main draw for the first time last year, then won his maiden grand slam match at the US Open in September.
Now Groth is a win away from making the second week of a major.