Thanasi Kokkinakis’ return ends in five-set thriller against Stefanos Tsitsipas

Kokkinakis, left, won his first match in Melbourne since 2015 in the first round (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Thanasi Kokkinakis came up just short of another memorable victory after his Australian Open comeback was ended in five sets by Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Kokkinakis’ emotional opening-round win over South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo on Tuesday night was his first victory in Melbourne since 2015 following a series of injuries and illnesses that threatened to destroy his career.