We’re just 3 days into the Australian Open 2021, but the tournament has already given us countless memorable moments. The headline of Day 3 was that Nick Kyrgios defeated Ugo Humbert in a grueling 5-setter to book a 3rd-round clash against Dominic Thiem, and the Aussie crowd is fired up now more than ever! 

Kyrgios gave the home crowd what they wanted and put on a show at the Melbourne Arena. From conceding the 1st set to winning the 5th, the match contained everything that a tennis fan would love to watch. 

Nick Kyrgios sets up a monumental clash with Dominic Thiem

Kyrgios doesn’t have an easy draw at the Australian Open this year. The 25-year-old enjoyed a straight-set victory in the 1st round but had to toil hard in the 2nd. It was a crazy indeed, but more is yet to come as Kyrgios looks to take on the World No. 3, Dominic Thiem. 

These two athletes have hardly faced each other on the court, and their only meeting on the ATP Tour came back in 2015. Thiem leads the head-to-head 1-0, but anything can happen in the upcoming match when Kyrgios faces Thiem with a hostile crowd rallying in his support his back! 

Nick Kyrgios has immense respect for Dominic Thiem and called him “world-class” and “a heck of a player” in his on-court interview after the 2nd-round victory. But the Australian crowd wasn’t so kind and urged Kyrgios to dispatch the Austrian in the third round. 

The crowd also shouted “destroy him Nick” in unison, as Kyrgios couldn’t help but smile at the love that was being showered at him! 

Kyrgios overwhelmed to have gotten past the Humbert challenge

“I don’t know how I did that. I don’t even know what to say. I’m lost for words honestly. That is one of the craziest matches I’ve ever played,” Kyrgios said about his second-round victory. 

Indeed, the match was filled with sensational moments. Who knows what would’ve happened if not for the crowd, because Kyrgios saved 2 match points in the 4th set with the help of his fellow countrymen who were cheering from the stands. 

The former Australian Open quarterfinalist was overjoyed to have beaten Ugo Humbert, but also rendered his views on how good the Frenchman played. Nonetheless, they put on a show for the crowd and made Day 3 at the Australian Open one to remember! 

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