Kokkinakis edged in three-set Cincinnati thriller

Thanasi Kokkinakis was eliminated by Nuno Borges in a gripping Cincinnati Open first-round clash, falling 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-6(4) after two hours, 58 minutes and 34 seconds. Kokkinakis made the stronger start by taking the opening set 7-5, but Borges levelled the match in a second-set tie-break before claiming another tight decider via a 7-4 tie-break. The Australian finished with one set won and two lost, with no additional match statistics recorded. The result sent Kokkinakis out in the R128 round of the 2026 tournament.