Sam Groth: How Nick Kyrgios can beat Daniil Medvedev in Round 2 of the Australian Open
Recovering from Covid, Nick Kyrgios faces one of the biggest tests of his career against Daniil Medvedev. But the Aussie still has some tricks up his sleeve, writes Sam Groth.
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Until the first ball is hit on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night, none of us will know which Nick Kyrgios we are about to watch.
The joker, the brat, the champion or the entertainer.
But isn’t that what makes this showdown the blockbuster of the tournament?
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Nick’s unpredictable nature is what makes him the most watchable athlete. The greatest showman in tennis, according to some.
But his volatile nature is also a curse. It is the reason he can both win and lose matches of this stature.
So how does he beat Daniil Medvedev?
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THE CROWD
It’s a shame this isn’t on ‘Kyrgios Court’ formerly known as John Cain Arena. That’s his comfort zone and it’s where he gets the atmosphere he thrives on. It’s a totally different ball game on Rod Laver.
Nick needs to make sure he helps the crowd warm to him, he has to engage with them and bring them on the ride with him.
While a lot will be said about him needing and wanting the John Cain atmosphere, let’s not forget how much Medvedev thrived on the ‘hate’ from the US Open crowd a few years back, so there are pros and cons to them being shifted to the main court.
It’s important Nick finds the balance and if he doesn’t get what he needs from the crowd he needs to have a mental strategy to deal with that.
THE SERVE
If Nick can serve as he did on Monday he will be in a good spot. On a good day he is the best in the world when it comes to service so it’s by far and away his best weapon.
The downside to this? Medvedev likes to hang back and has this uncanny way – with a terrible technique – of making it to balls from strange dangerous parts in the court. So Nick needs to have the foresight to plan what he does when the return comes his way.
Nick will get free points off the serve but needs to be wary of getting stuck into long rallies. They get too physical and will kill off his form which is already struggling having only recently recovered from Covid.
THE TRICK SHOTS
Nick is a great showman but the ‘tweener needs to be put on ice for this clash. I know the crowd loves it but there’s a time and a place.
The one he hit on Monday night he was 6-1 and 0-40 so of course you can have a crack. If he’s relaxed and he wants to amp the crowd up then I’m okay with it but as long as it’s not being done in a cop-out way.
In a tight moment, to play something like that, he will lose the crowd and probably the point. He needs to get the right balance of showmanship and sportsmanship.
COME FORWARD
If you want to take advantage of one negative in Medvedev’s game then force him to the net. He loves to play deep think so if Nick can make him move up it will put him on the back foot.
This isn’t as simple as it sound because it means Nick really has to change the way he is playing as well. He will have to be aggressive behind his serve to make these shots and mix in some slice. Don’t forget though, we’re talking about the second best player in the world. It’s easy to say bring him forward and take him out of his comfort zone but there aren’t many players that have managed this in the last year or so.
ATTITUDE
No one expects Nick to win but that doesn’t mean he can’t. He needs to embrace the underdog tag and come out wanting to prove something. This is where his unpredictable nature can be a weapon and a weakness. I hope he comes out with the attitude that he can win this match, not just happy to put on a show. I hope he has spent time reminding himself that he has an amazing record against some of the best in the world – when he is switched on. Anytime you beat someone you obviously carry a mental edge over them so if we get the right Nick, these are the things going in his favour.
HISTORY BECKONS
The pressure is all on Medvedev as the highest ranked player in the drawer and he’s trying to do something that no man has done in the open era in winning a second slam immediately after his first. So he’s not just trying to reach round three, he’s trying to rewrite history.
That’s pressure enough but to be attempting all that in a year that has seen your biggest rival deported and scratched from the tournament – he won’t get a better chance.
SAM GROTH’S PREDICTION: Nick goes down fighting in four.
Originally published as Sam Groth: How Nick Kyrgios can beat Daniil Medvedev in Round 2 of the Australian Open
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