Martin Cruises in Atlanta Open First Round

ATLANTA, Ga. – It took an hour and 12 minutes for Georgia Tech’s Andres Martin to defeat No. 69 Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight units, 6-3, 6-2, within the first spherical of the 2022 Atlanta Open on Tuesday throughout School Evening.

Kokkinakis, who captured his first ATP Tour title earlier this 12 months, and Martin stood on serve within the opening set earlier than the Jacket earned a break to go up, 4-2. Martin held serve within the subsequent recreation, preventing off two break factors, to assert a 5-2 edge towards the Australian native. The Yellow Jacket closed out the opening set, 6-3, to take a set lead over Kokkinakis, who was making his first look since Wimbledon.

On serve at 2-all within the second set, Martin broke Kokkinakis to go up 3-2 and by no means regarded again. Serving at 1-2, Martin gained the following 5 video games to seal the victory and safe a spot within the second spherical.

“As soon as I discovered I used to be taking part in him [Kokkinakis], I created a recreation plan and I simply caught to it as onerous as I might,” mentioned Martin. “I centered on what I might management and it ended up understanding for me.

“I simply centered on what we had been engaged on this complete summer season, getting higher little by little,” Martin commented. “This win is totally large for me and my confidence.”

Competing in his first ATP Tour occasion, Martin, ranked No. 736, turned the lowest-ranked participant to win an ATP Tour or Grand Slam match since No. 863 Yuki Bhambri defeated Jozef Kovalik within the first spherical of 2022 Pune.

It was a Georgia Tech stuffed night time as Martin was handled to a parade to the courts with Georgia Tech cheerleaders, Buzz and a journey within the legendary Ramblin’ Reck. Previous to first serve, Georgia Tech soccer head coach Geoff Collins carried out the ceremonial coin toss at heart courtroom to kick-off the night time.

Martin will face No. 78 Adrian Mannarino (FRA) in second spherical motion.

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