Thanasi Kokkinakis stuns Greek heart-throb at US Open – and he will be joined by a number of in-form Aussies in the second round

Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jordan Thompson and Tristan Schoolkate continued Australia’s great start to the US Open with convincing first round victories in New York.

Fellow countryman Alex de Minaur also impressed at Flushing Meadows, where he defeated local hope Marcos Giron in four sets with the tenth-seeded player.

Fan favourite Kokkinakis received a standing ovation at The Grandstand after beating Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to complete a stunning Australian treble early in the third day.

Incredibly, Kokkinakis’ four-set victory over the No. 11 was only his second Open win in nine injury-plagued years.

“A huge relief,” Kokkinakis said of the best Grand Slam victory of his career.

“Super happy, super pumped. It’s well documented that I’ve had a few that were tight, but I’m starting to get on the winning side now.”

The reward for the 28-year-old is a golden opportunity to finally score a grand slam in a still unoccupied zone.

Kokkinakis now faces unseeded Nuno Borges, while Schoolkate is a potential opponent in the third round after the West Australian himself secured a decisive victory over Taro Daniel.

Fellow countryman Alex de Minaur also impressed at Flushing Meadows, where the 10th-seeded player outclassed local hope Marcos Giron in four sets

Schoolkate confirmed his wildcard entry with a strong comeback victory of 4-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in his long-awaited debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

“It’s fantastic. I’m obviously very happy to have survived that match,” said the world number 193.

‘Especially with a two-set deficit, it seems like a long road.

‘But I thought, if I just keep going and stay in the match, there is no time limit in tennis.

“As long as you’re still playing, you still have a chance.”

The 23-year-old was given a second-round shot against Czech Jakub Mensik, as well as a life-changing career payday of at least $140,000 (S$207,000).

Thompson had earlier shaken off the disappointment of missing out on seeding by one poor ranking position by beating Constant Lestienne 6-1 6-3 6-2 in less than two hours.

The world number 32 did his best to escape the scorching heat by breaking the Frenchman six times without losing his own serve once.

Australian veteran Jordan Thompson defeated Constant Lestienne 6-1 6-3 6-2 in less than two hours

Thompson will face world number 7 Hubert Hurkacz for a place in the last 32.

Australia now have eight players through to the second round, with Kokkinakis, Schoolkate, de Minaur and Thompson joining the first round winners Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata, Ajla Tomljanovic and 18-year-old qualifier Maya Joint.

But women’s wildcard Taylah Preston’s international Grand Slam debut lasted just 61 minutes as she lost 6-2 6-0 in the first round to Russian team Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Daria Saville’s comeback from a foot injury ended in frustration and despair. The Australian No. 1 lost 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10-6) to Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in a thrilling match that lasted three hours and 16 minutes.

And Destanee Aiava’s qualifying run ended in a gutsy 6-1 7-6 (7-1) defeat to fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina, after the Australian had conceded three set points to send the match against the 2022 Wimbledon champion to the decider.

Later matches on Wednesday AEDT see Sydney pals Aleksandar Vukic and Max Purcell face off, while South Australian qualifier Li Tu has a dream date with reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s main draw at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Elsewhere, Chris O’Connell takes on 26th-seeded Nicolas Jarry, while James Duckworth and Arina Rodionova are also in action.