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Tomic books Kokkinakis clash

6 January 2015, by brisbaneinternational.com.au

UPDATE 12.40am: Bernard Tomic made it a golden day for Australians in main draw action at the Brisbane International with all five in action progressing.

The world No.53 was sharp in a 7-5 7-6(5) upset of big-serving American Sam Querrey on Pat Rafter Arena on Monday night, to land a second-round meeting with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Often criticised in the past for his court movement, a more fleet-footed Tomic timed his moment to pounce after his 35th-ranked opponent bolted out of the blocks to break serve in the opening game.

Querrey would serve for the first set at 5-4, but buoyed on by his home crowd, the Australian broke before hammering home the initiative to take the opener on another break of serve, 7-5.

“I had to stay in there and I got my chance… it came at the time he was serving for the first set,” Tomic said.

“I took it and I played very good tennis from 5-4 down. I played really confident and well in the second.

“I’ve lost a few kilos you know. I’ve been training hard and working hard and it’s good to see it paying off. That’s the most important thing.

Kokkinakis earlier upset French world No.25 Julien Benneteau in straight sets and joked that he had the edge over his countryman, at least when it came to console gaming.

“I practise with him a little bit.  We get a along well.  We play FIFA together,” Kokkinakis said.

“I beat him, but he claims he’s beaten me once and he doesn’t let me live it down. I feel like I’m hitting the ball well, so just worry about my game more than who I am playing, and hopefully I do all right.”