Nick Kyrgios has had a mixed start to the 2022 season. The Australian was all set to participate in a warm-up tournament before the Australian Open. However, he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to subsequently withdraw from the Sydney Tennis Classic tournament. He reached Melbourne a day before the commencement of the Australian Open 2022.

Despite being short on match practice, the Australian had a decent outing in men’s singles. He eventually lost to the tournament favorite and second seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the second round. Further, he has partnered with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in the men’s doubles category. The pair is into the semifinals of the Australian Open with their victory over the sixth seeds Tim Puetz and Michael Venus 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis continue their giant-killing run

The Australian pair’s brilliant run at the Australian Open 2022 continued with their commanding victory over the sixth seeds. In what was thoroughly an entertaining match, the Australian pair kept it tight in the first set and didn’t let their opponents have any breathing space.

The two played to their strengths and dished out 13 aces in the first set itself. Their opponents, meanwhile, could manage only 2 aces in the opening set, while committing 4 double faults.

Moreover, the Australian pairing’s win percentage on their first serves was amazing, which stood at 91% in the first set, as against their opponent’s 70%. Further, Tim Puetz and Michael Venus failed to convert any of the 2 breakpoints that were up on offer in the first set as they eventually lost the opening set 7-5.

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Coming to the second set, Tim Puetz and Michael Venus began brightly and took a 3-0 lead. Further, the Australian pair failed to convert any of the 7 breakpoints that were up on offer in the second set. This eventually proved to be the deciding factor and the Australian pair lost the second set 3-6.

The third and the deciding set started with both the pairs holding their serves initially. But the turning point came in the 4th game when the Australian pair broke the serve of Tim Puetz. Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis held their nerves to eventually win the deciding set 6-3.

The 26-year-old at the Australian Open 2022

Kyrgios started his 2022 campaign on a winning note as he defeated the British qualifier Liam Broady in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. However, his momentum was halted by World Number 2 Daniil Medvedev, who defeated the Australian in a four-setter thriller.

Further, the 26-year-old partnered with Thanasi Kokkinakis in men’s doubles. The two managed to upset the top seeds in the second round. They have continued their giant-killing form and are now into the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2022.

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Can the Australian pair spring a surprise and lift the men’s doubles title at the ‘Happy Slam’? Do let us know your views in the comments below.