'Massive talent': Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jenson Brooksby exit Miami Open with praise from Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jenson Brooksby may have exited the Miami Open in the round of 16, but they did so with ringing endorsements from two of tennis’ top players. Kokkinakis, 25, saw his five-match winning run at the Masters 1000 event — which started in qualifying — ended by world No. 4 Alexander Zverev.

Ad/> The last few years of Kokkinakis’ career have been blighted by injuries, and with 12 victories this season he has already nearly matched his total of 14 from 2017 to 2021. /> ATP MiamiHighlights: Big shock as Ruud downs Zverev to reach Miami Open semis5 HOURS AGO He also lifted his first ATP title earlier this year in his hometown of Adelaide and won the Australian Open men’s doubles with childhood friend Nick Kyrgios. His run at the Miami Open will see him move back into the top 100 in the world and close to his career-high of 69, which he achieved as a 19-year-old in 2015.

Zverev is predicting big things for Kokkinakis. “He will be at the top of the game very shortly, I think,” said the German after their first career ATP meeting. Ruud shocks Zverev to make Miami Open semis Swiatek beats Kvitova to continue Sunshine Double quest “I think he's going to be top 50, top 20.

Then we will see how it goes. He has a massive game. He is obviously a massive talent which was hindered by injuries.

I wish him nothing but the best.” Kokkinakis is still in action at the Miami Open in the men’s doubles semi-finals with Kyrgios. He will then turn his attentions to the clay season, which Kyrgios is not set to play. There was also praise for upcoming American Brooksby after he lost to world No.2 Daniil Medvedev in the last 16 of the Miami Open.