Thanasi Kokkinakis’ dreams of claiming a second Adelaide title ended at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut, 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3.
The Australian was looking to win his second consecutive title in Adelaide in the space of a year when he played Roberto Bautista Agut.
However the Spaniard was too consistent in the big moments as he edged past the hometown hero to reach the final in Adelaide.
After the match Bautista Agut praised Kokkinakis’ game and talked about why he always makes good starts to the season, “He’s a very good player, he was serving unreal,” Bautista Agut told the ATP website.
“He’s very good on this court. I think he has a great potential, I wish him the very best. Today was very tough to beat Thanasi on this court.
“It feels good to be back home after spending all year travelling and working, so for me to take a few days off after the end of the season and practise hard, feels good for me. I’ve been feeling well during my whole career at the beginning of the season.”
Bautista Agut will look to win a 12th ATP singles title and a sixth in the month of January when he takes on Soonwoo Kwon in the final.
The South Korean edged past Jack Draper to reach the final with Draper now facing Rafael Nadal on Monday at the Australian Open.
As for Bautista Agut, he will start his Australian Open campaign against Joao Sousa.
