Roger Federer: Thanasi Kokkinakis sends Miami Open warning
THANASI KOKKINAKIS believes he is capable of causing an upset when he takes on Roger Federer at the Miami Open later today.
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Federer and Kokkinakis have never played each other before but have practised together at numerous events, including the Hopman Cup earlier this year.
Kokkinakis came through qualifying and then comfortably beat Frenchman Calvin Hemery 6-1 6-2 in the first round.
Federer, the top seed, will be looking to bounce back from last week’s Indian Wells final defeat to Juan Martin Del Potro.
But Kokkinakis feels he has the game to cause Federer problems.
Thanasi Kokkinakis is confident of providing a battle for Roger Federer
If I play well, I think I can do some good things
Kokkinakis told the ATP Tour: “Obviously playing Roger is tough. One of the guys asked me, 'What's my goal in the match?' I don't think it changes from match to match. You go there to win. You're not going to go there, thinking, ‘I hope I get a few games’. That’s just not the attitude you need.
He added: “I think if I serve well and play well, I can have a good crack, but obviously playing Roger is tough. I think the majority of the crowd will be supporting him, which is not too much of a surprise. But it is what it is.
"If I play well, I think I can do some good things.
“[I know] everything about him so if I lose it's completely on me. I'm sure he doesn't show everything on the practice court. But I've seen what I can and I'm going to go out there and have a crack.”
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Kokkinakis’ career has been disrupted by injury but the young Aussie is hoping his injury problems are behind him.
He said: “I’ve had a lot of ongoing things but this is the best my body has felt touchwood.
“So just going to see how it goes and stay positive and not get too worked up, keep working hard and see where we go.”