Tennis fans in frenzy over Thanasi Kokkinakis moment at Wimbledon

Thanasi Kokkinakis has set up a dream showdown with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon after recording his first career win at the All England Club after five years.

Five long years since his last appearance in the main draw at Wimbledon, the Aussie star continued his 2022 renaissance with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-5 victory over Poland's Kamil Majchrzak on Monday.

'WHAT'S GOING ON': Novak Djokovic match rocked by scary scenes

'HORRIBLE TO SEE': Wimbledon ball kid in 'distressing' incident

After two previous first-round defeats, plus two unsuccessful qualifying campaigns, the 26-year-old is finally savouring his maiden win on London's hallowed grass courts.

"I'm super happy with how the result panned out. A lot of doubt coming into the tournament. Wasn't sure how I'd pull up, how I'd play, if I would even play," Kokkinakis said, having hurt his left knee in an on-court tumble at Surbiton three weeks ago.

The South Australian's reward is a second-round showdown on Wednesday with Djokovic, the 20-time grand slam champion chasing a seventh Wimbledon crown and fourth-straight.

"Can't wait. Can't wait for the opportunity," Kokkinakis said.

"Definitely was in the back of my mind playing that match. I obviously saw the draw.

"I'm not one of those people that doesn't look ahead. I knew I had a tough match obviously first, but definitely knew what was at stake."

Djokovic earlier opened his account with a scratchy 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea under a closed roof on centre court.

Tennis fans were delighted to see Kokkinakis finally taste victory at Wimbledon, plus the fact he now gets to test himself against Djokovic.

Kokkinakis the lone Aussie winner at Wimbledon

Kokkinakis, who won his maiden ATP title in January in Adelaide before teaming up with Nick Kyrgios to win the Australian Open doubles crown, was the only Aussie winner on a rain-affected opening day at Wimbledon.

James Duckworth's much-anticipated centre-court battle with Andy Murray ended in a gallant 4-6 6-3 6-2- 6-4 defeat against the two-time Wimbledon champion and former World No.1.

Duckworth, trying to become the first player ever to knock out Murray in the first round at his home slam, scented blood against the Scottish veteran as he took the opening set.

But his wretched recent sequence of eight-straight tour-level losses continued as a match that began as an outdoor battle ended under the illuminated roof at 9.35pm at the All England Club.

John Millman bowed out with a 6-3 2-6 6-3 6-4 loss to Serbia's 25th seed Miomir Kecmanovic, while brave Sydney qualifier Max Purcell fell to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in a three-hour, 53-minute epic.

Playing with a lost big toe nail on his right foot, Purcell rallied back from two sets down to force a decider, only to succumb 6-3 7-6 (7-0) 4-6 4-6 6-4 in his first-ever five-set match.

Maddison Inglis couldn't extend her run from qualifying either, going down 5-7 6-3 6-4 to Hungarian Dalma Galfi.

Astra Sharma will resume her tussle with Germany's Tatjana Maria on Tuesday after the match was suspended under fading light at one set apiece, with the Australian to serve at 6-4 3-6.

Fellow qualifier Zoe Hives and wildcard Daria Saville had their scheduled matches postponed until day two.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.