Kokkinakis gets the better of a long rally to open the game. For all his bluster in this set so far the Aussie is showing an ability to keep cool within the points.
Murray forehand into the net, two break points. Murray strikes his forehand long. Kokkinakis breaks again.
Brilliant from Kokkinakis to turn defence into attack and finish with a forehand winner down the line, 30-30.
Frustration for Murray as he nets a forehand, 40-30. Great disguise on the drop shot from Murray and Kokkinakis slips to his knees, deuce.
Ace by Kokkinakis to hold. Good response by the Aussie.
That last break point was a lot. Four lobs from Murray who would have lost that point 999 times out of 1000. Kokkinakis is now talking to the supervisor about the time violation he received from Eva Asderaki while Murray is complaining that she didn’t penalise Kokkinakis for “audible obscenity”. He did receive a “racket abuse” penalty for totalling his racket, though. Murray clearly feels that this is his moment to get into Kokkinakis’s head and Judy is on her feet again.
Kokkinakis got a warning for racket abuse from the umpire.
Murray starts the game on the front foot, hitting a forehand winner. And he holds to love to compound Kokkinakis’ woes.
How long can Murray keep this level up?
Just when you thought Murray was down and out, he fights back to earn himself three break points.
Kokkinakis saves the first with a huge forehand that drops on the line. Surely Murray has to take one of the next two?
Deep Kokkinakis forehand and Murray nets on the second break point. A series of forehands into the corner by Kokkinakis and he finishes at the net with a drop volley. What a touch.
Kokkinakis ace! He’s played brilliantly from 0-40. Kokkinakis has a chance to finish the game but Murray makes him play an extra ball and the Australian hits a forehand well long, deuce.
Kokkinakis is given a time violation by the umpire for going over the 25 second shot clock. He is fuming. ‘That a bad call’ he says. Both players have been given violations.
Deep Murray return catches the baseline and Kokkinakis shanks his forehand out. His head has gone here. Fourth Murray break point.
SENSATIONAL DEFENSE BY MURRAY. He has no right to win that point but he does, remarkably getting back four overheads by Kokkinakis. Kokkinakis then nets a forehand and explodes, smashing his racket onto the court.
He is livid.
Murray breaks.
Ivan Lendl has gone missing from Murray’s player box, prompting Sir Andy to shout “Where are you?” In the absence of his mentor, Murray donates a cheap break.
Unbelievably good from Kokkinakis to push Murray wide and whip a controlled forehand down the line for a winner, 0-15.
Murray nets, 0-30. Murray then sends a forehand long, 0-40. Is this the beginning of the end?
Wild forehand by Murray flies well long to complete a wretched game. Kokkinakis breaks.
Uphill task for Murray now. Looks like it might be beyond him today.
Super return by Murray but Kokkinakis has answer with a brilliant forehand down the line, 30-15.
Kokkinakis goes for another forehand down the line but just misses, 30-30. Great hands at the net by Kokkinakis to reach a dipping backhand pass from Murray, 40-30. Murray shrugs his shoulders in disbelief.
Kokkinakis eventually holds to maintain his momentum.
Kokkinakis wrong-foots Murray with a forehand winner, 2-5. Murray’s drop shot is too obvious, Kokkinakis reads it and flicks a backhand up the line, 2-6.
Deep Murray forehand and Kokkinakis nets, 3-6. Kokkinakis double fault, just his second of the match, 4-6.
Kokkinakis ace, 4-7. The Australian is a set away from one of the biggest wins of his career.
I should point out that it is now gone 12.15am and the stadium is still 90 per cent full. A testament to the compelling nature of the occasion but also perhaps the navigability of Melbourne. Wonder if the trams are still running.
Makeable volley for Murray but he nets after setting the point up nicely, 0-1. Defensive backhand by Murray drops just wide, 0-2. 11th ace of the match for Kokkinakis, 0-3.
Bit of fortune for Murray as his backhand clips the top of the net, forces Kokkinakis forward and Murray finishes with a volley winner, 1-3. Third ace of the match for Murray, 2-3. Kokkinakis backhand volley winner, 2-4.
The break at the change of ends seems to have benefitted Kokkinakis as he moves to 40-0.
A backhand into the net by Kokkinakis makes it 40-15. But a forehand into the net by Murray means we enter a tiebreak.
Judy Murray is on her feet as her Andy breaks serve at last, on his fourth break point. That was a mini-choke from Kokkinakis, but he still has the advantage of youth on his side, not to mention the lairy Aussie fans behind me. Meanwhile, I think I felt a drop of drizzle…
Kokkinakis looking a bit frustrated as Murray moves to 40-15. And the Briton get a huge bit of luck as his forehand clips the top of the net and drop on Kokkinakis’ side.
Kokkinakis will serve to stay in the set next…
Kokkinakis forehand winner into the open court, 30-0. Best shot from Murray in a long time as he hits a backhand winner down the line, 30-15.
Timely first serve is unreturned by Murray, 40-15. Two set points.
Murray saves the first to keep himself in this set. Then the second with a forehand winner. Murray shakes his racket with positive intent.
Break point Murray after a brilliant return catches Kokkinakis out. Patience and perseverance from Kokkinakis to stay in the rally and force Murray into an error.
Kokkinakis forehand winner down the line, third set point. Another cat and mouse, Murray lobs Kokkinakis, who chases back but can’t get the ball back in play. Deuce.
Kokkinakis double fault, his first of the match. What a time for it. Break point Murray.
Kokkinakis forehand into the tramlines. Murray breaks back.
Some of the remarks coming from behind me, and playing on Kokkinakis’s unusual name, are not fit for reporting on a family website. “Have a cry,” says one less risqué voice as umpire Eva Asderaki hands Murray a time violation and we see his shoulders slump.
Kokkinakis average forehand speed 133km/h, Murray 121km/h – very big difference.
Tame Murray backhand into the net, 0-30. Murray can’t hurt or overpower his opponent right now.
Murray gets a time violation from the umpire.
Big forehand down the line by Kokkinakis leads to a defensive lob by Murray and the Australian finishes with a drive forehand winner. Three break points.
Murray backhand long. Kokkinakis breaks and will serve for the set.
Kokkinakis starts the game with a forehand winner and then an ace. Murray can’t believe it.
More relentless hitting from Kokkinakis leads to a 27th forehand winner, 40-0.
And he finishes the game in style with another forehand which is too hot for Murray.
Another routine hold for Murray after a backhand volley winner. Scoreboard pressure now on Kokkinakis.
“Keep moaning, Murray” comes a voice from the crowd. The temperature continues to drop in here and the fans have become a little restless, perhaps feeling that Kokkinakis – who they were getting behind – is slipping slightly from his very high first-set level.
Fourth ace of the second set for Kokkinakis, 30-0. But Murray pulls it back to 30-all after back-to-back forehand errors from Kokkinakis.
But Kokkinakis gathers himself and holds with a couple of first serves.
Kokkinakis is unloading every time on his forehand and he is frustrated after netting one, 30-0.
He nets another forehand, 40-0. And Murray holds to love with a brilliant curved forehand winner.
No breaks so far in this set.
A flock of seagulls are making a lot of noise overhead as Kokkinakis waits to serve.
Nevertheless, he holds to 15 with a forehand winner.
What a rally and great reactions from both players: Murray at the net, Kokkinakis scrambling on the baseline. Murray finishes with a volley winner.
He then hits a backhand winner down the line, 40-15. Murray holds to 30 when Kokkinakis fails to return his first serve.
Sarcastic thumbs up there from Murray to his coaches after Kokkinakis nails an ace down the ‘T’ in his first service game of set two. It’s a regular trope which I usually take to mean “You said he would serve out wide”, or vice versa. Not a happy sign. Kokkinakis is serving extremely well though. Meanwhile the “Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi” chants have started up at deafening volume behind my right ear
It feels like Murray believes by taking Kokkinakis into longer rallies, the Australian will eventually break down.
The Briton earns himself a half chance after dragging Kokkinakis to the net, who then slices a backhand long, 15-30.
Kokkinakis ace, 40-30. Kokkinakis holds when Murray fails to return a big wide serve.
Murray has to start this set well and stop Kokkinakis’ momentum.
A second ace of the match from Murray makes it 30-15. What a rally, astonishing hustle from Murray and he finishes with a flicked forehand winner down the line, 40-15. He enjoyed that shot.
As the match moves past the one hour mark, Murray holds when Kokkinakis’ forehand goes into the tramlines.
Advert on the big screen for a charity lottery run by “The Happy Slam”. Which the Australian Open hasn’t been, in the end, for Murray over the years. So many great moments here but some painful ones too. He needs to find a lot more physical intensity and raise the speed on his groundstrokes if he is going to avoid another sickener.
Kokkinakis starts the game by dominating the rally and waiting for the right moment to whip a forehand winner down the line.
He then hits his fifth ace of the match, 30-0. Three set points for Kokkinakis as Murray nets a return.
Murray saves the first to keep his hopes alive. But a backhand down the line does the job for Kokkinakis and he takes the set.
Uphill task for Murray now.
Great wide serve by Murray into the corner is unreturned, 40-15. Kokkinakis responds with a vicious topspin forehand winner into the corner.
Murray holds to force Kokkinakis to serve for the set.
Cat and mouse rally between the players and Murray has a chance to lob but his effort bounces out, 15-0.
Big Kokkinakis first serve and he finishes with a forehand winner. And he completes the hold with an ace.
Murray just turned to his coaches and seemed to complain about his racket, which is certainly not directing the ball where he wishes at the moment. One of the hallmarks of his win over Berrettini was an unusually calm and upbeat demeanour, so it will be interesting to see how he holds together emotionally. His game is way off right now, whether because of fatigue or the very different conditions – cold/blustery as opposed to calm and humid under the roof.
Another groundstroke from Murray flies long, 15-30. Murray attacks the net but can’t control his volley off a dipping backhand pass from Kokkinakis, two break points.
Kokkinakis nets on the first. Murray then saves the second when Kokkinakis’ mis-hits a forehand long.
After over six minutes, Murray somehow survives when his backhand clips the top of the net and drops on Kokkinakis’ side.
Kokkinakis looks very assured as he hits another forehand winner into the open court, 30-0. Wild forehand by Murray allows Kokkinakis to hold to love.
11 winners for Kokkinakis. Just four for Murray.
The crowd are getting into this, so far we’ve had a few chants of “Kokkinakis” and a very Aussie cry of “Shut up seagulls”. Meanwhile Murray has had to request that fans in his eyeline at the back of the court stop waving their flags while Kokkinakis is serving. I’d say the consensus is mildly against Murray but it’s not a landslide.
Murray with a tame drop shot into the net, 15-30. Then a weak backhand into the net, 15-40. Two very unusual unforced errors.
Murray saves the first with a forehand volley winner. And the second when Kokkinakis nets a return.
Third break point for Kokkinakis after Murray fails to kill off the point and the Aussie turns defense into attack with a forehand winner.
Murray forehand into the net. Kokkinakis breaks.
Routine hold to 15 for Kokkinakis. He is well up for this and so is the home crowd.
Murray will have to weather the storm.
Bad miss by Kokkinakis on the forehand side after setting up the point beautifully with a backhand return, 30-0.
Kokkinakis is really going after Murray’s second serve at every opportunity. He hits back-to-back forehand return winners to make it 30-30.
He’s sending a message to Murray – miss the first serve and you are in trouble.
Murray finds a timely first serve and finishes with a forehand winner, 40-30. Another first serve from Murray and he holds as Kokkinakis’ return goes long.
Break point chance for Murray after Kokkinakis gets a mid court ball but pushes his forehand long, 15-40.
Kokkinakis keeps his head to get Murray on the run and finish with a forehand winner down the line. He then saves the second. when Murray nets a forehand.
Another break point chance for Murray after Kokkinakis nets a defensive backhand slice. But the Australian saves it with an ace.
Kokkinakis survives that scare when he forces Murray into netting a backhand.
I can confirm that absolutely every seat on Margaret Court Arena is full (worse luck for the long lines of fans waiting to get in) and that it’s cold like an English spring night. It will be difficult to get the ball through the court.
Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl and his mum Judy are sitting next to each other. Looks a bit chilly in Melbourne.
But Murray makes a hot start, hitting an overhead winner on the opening point. Kokkinakis bangs in a big forehand return winner, 30-15.
Murray holds to 15 after Kokkinakis’ next forehand return flies long. No sign of any physical issues for the Briton.
Injury, what injury? Djokovic leads Couacaud 4-1 in the third set.
Despite his issues, the 21-time grand slam champion’s quality should be too much by the end.
Kokkinakis wins it and opts to receive first. Murray then choose to swap sides.
An energetic and raucous crowd welcomes Murray and Kokkinakis onto the court.
This should be a good one!
It’s going to be a tough match. I’ve played him a while ago in Davis Cup. Yeah, he definitely handed it to me that day, but I’m ready now. I feel good. It’s going to be a tough match obviously. I watched a fair bit of his match against Berrettini, and he played great. He is looking in good shape. I practiced with him a fair bit recently.
Just going to continue to play my game. He may have lost a little bit, but his anticipation is just as good as ever, and he can still play at the top of the best of them. I’m going to be ready for the best version of Murray, and, yeah, I’m going to go out there and play my game, play aggressive, and hopefully come out best.
Couacaud plays the best set of his life, against an injury-hampered Djokovic, to take the second set 7-6.
Does the nine-time champion Djokovic have anything left to mount a response?
Murray and Kokkinakis are scheduled second on Margaret Court Arena. The match before them is ongoing between Belinda Bencic and Claire Liu.
Bencic, the 12th seed, needed 73 minutes to win the opening set 7-6 after being 2-5 down and having to save two set points.
The pair have traded breaks early in the second set but Bencic leads 3-2.
Novak Djokovic, who came into the tournament with a hamstring injury, took a medical timeout in the second set of his match with Enzo Couacaud.
Djokovic won the first set 6-1 but trails 6-5 to the qualifier in the second. I’ll keep you updated as we await Murray.
After his epic battle with Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, hopefully he is able to bring his best level today:
It’s obviously not that easy to recover from a 4-hour 45-minute match. But I have put myself in the best chance to be able to do that with the training and stuff that I’ve done the last few months.
I wouldn’t expect myself to feel perfect on Thursday, but hopefully I’ll be in a good place.
By Simon Briggs in Melbourne
Less than 48 hours after claiming a famous victory over 13th seed Matteo Berrettini, Andy Murray will be back on court against one of the most popular figures in Australian tennis.
Thanasi Kokkinakis is probably best known as the defending champion in the men’s doubles here, which he won alongside childhood pal Nick Kyrgios. But he is a dangerous hitter in his own right, a rangy player with a big game modelled on 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis.
Slightly surprisingly, Murray and Kokkinakis have been scheduled on the second-string Margaret Court Arena, while serial Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has taken the main stage for what looks likely to be a routine outing against Enzo Couacoud.
It will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts. Even when facing a home favourite, Murray is still likely to pick up a fair dollop of support, for he won over many locals during his five unsuccessful appearances in the final here.
Also, there is little chance of Kokkinakis whipping up the fans, given that he considers Murray to be a friend and role model. At a small ATP event last year in North Carolina, Kokkinakis posted a video of Murray advising him on the optimal body position for the double-fisted backhand.
“Andy is someone I respect a great amount,” said Kokkinakis on Wednesday after completing a comfortable win over Fabio Fognini. “Obviously he has been at the top of the game, and he can relate a little bit with the injury side of things. I missed a fair few years, and so has he, especially recently.
“He was someone when I came onto tour that was always willing to give some advice. I practised with him a fair bit, I played doubles with him at Indian Wells, so we have a fairly good relationship.
“We get along really well. I actually really like him off the court. I remember watching him when I was younger, thinking ‘This dude looks moody as hell, he looks miserable.’ Then when you got to know him, he is actually a ripper bloke and a good guy.
“Yeah, I’ll put all that aside and give it a crack tomorrow. But he’s someone I have the utmost respect for.”
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