Watch: Thanasi Kokkinakis smashes his racquet in joy after saving three match points to score win at Miami Open 2023

Thanasi Kokkinakis let out a highly impassioned reaction after his thrilling opening-round win at the Miami Open 2023.

Kokkinakis scored a stunning comeback victory against Belgian Zizou Bergs to book his spot in the Round of 64 at the tournament. The 26-year-old rallied from a set and a break down and saved three match points against his opponent in the process to conclude the encounter on a deciding tiebreak 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7).

The exceptional triumph tasted even sweeter for Thanasi Kokkinakis, as he was ready to pack his bags after losing his qualifier match against Benoit Paire, before being granted a lucky loser spot in the main draw of the Miami Open.

The Australian tennis player’s euphoria was evident as he screamed with joy and smashed his racquet in celebration after hitting a concluding winner.

Kokkinakis further elaborated on his emotions about the win on social media.

"Battling some serious demons…." he wrote.

The World No. 94 is now set to face off against 2021 Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz for a spot in the final 32 of the tournament.

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"Tennis is so results-based that if you don’t win you’re just pissed" – Thanasi Kokkinakis on his Australian Open 2023 loss to Andy Murray

Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Miami Open

The Miami Open first-round match isn’t the only thriller Thanasi Kokkinakis has been a part of this season. The 26-year-old was part of an unforgettable encounter against Andy Murray in the second round of Australian Open 2023 – a match that went down in history as the second-longest match ever played at the event.

The five-setter match concluded in favor of the British veteran 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-5, despite the Australian having a lead of two sets and a break at one point during the match.

Kokkinakis recently reflected on the match and remarked that as agonizing as the defeat was, he enjoyed the match nonetheless.

"Although it was a heartbreaking match to be honest and I had it in the bag a few times, as distraught as I was after the match, I actually really enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun out there," he said."One of the only times I can say after a big loss, especially one where I was on the front foot the whole time, that I enjoyed it."

Kokkinakis stated that, in hindsight, there were a lot of positives to be taken from the epic showdown.

"Tennis is so results-based that if you don’t win you’re just pissed and obviously I was pissed off, but I can look back at the summer I had and the level of tennis when I was playing at my best and try to take the positives away from that," he added.