Nick Kyrgios to withdraw from Australian Open doubles under orders from coach Matt Reid

THE day after Nick Kyrgios overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, his Australian Open hopes received another boost when his coach put his charge’s grand slam quest ahead of himself.

Nick Kyrgios overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four set at the Australian Open

NICK Kyrgios has abandoned his Australian Open doubles crusade — apparently under orders from close friend and coach Matt Reid.

Desperate not to disappoint Reid by withdrawing from doubles, Kyrgios last night insisted he would make up his mind today. The decision to withdraw became official around lunchtime when Kyrgios told tournament officials he would pull out of the doubles.

The Herald Sun understands Reid had a big say in the call not to play, which has gifted French pair Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin a passage into the third round.

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Kyrgios admitted a three-setter with Reid in Thursday’s sapping heat affected his performance during a wonderful third-round singles win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

“I felt heavy. My legs felt a little bit heavy,” he said.

“Yeah, yesterday was hot. I played a two-hour doubles match. It took a lot out of me. I tried my best. I wanted to win.

Nick Kyrgios overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four set at the Australian Open

“Yeah, I think the adrenaline kicked in the third and fourth sets (against Tsonga). I had a couple bananas, started to feel better, got a bit of a second wind.

“I won’t make the decision now. Obviously have some food, have a good night’s rest, see how I feel tomorrow.

Kyrgios’s decision to partner Reid in doubles surprised many with several retired players pointing to the Canberran’s match in Thursday’s heat as a fitness negative.

Midway through the second set against inspired Tsonga, Kyrgios could be heard apparently agreeing.

“Why did I play doubles?,” he said. “Doubles shit, what are you thinking?”

Jim Courier, watching courtside, could not fathom it either.

“If Nick thinks he has a serious chance to win a major, he does need to top playing doubles,” Courier said on Channel 7.

“It is a mistake to play, even if you enjoy it with your friends, because you can have some bad luck, get stuck in a 40 degree day like he did yesterday.

“They are not a threat to win the doubles tournament, it is not like they are going to win the doubles — that is not going to happen.

“All the players who think they have a serious chance to win majors in singles skip the doubles.”

On Friday night the Canberran clinched a quality 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) victory with extraordinary serving and impressive maturity over 2008 runner-up Tsonga..

It is the first time Kyrgios has forged as deep in a major since Wimbledon in 2016.

And he did it against one idol — Tsonga — in front of another — actor Will Smith.

With 28 aces, just three double faults, 54 winners and 34 unforced errors, Kyrgios posted his first win on Rod Laver Arena, watched by the man after whom the stadium is named.

“To get a win against him (Tsonga) is a dream come true,” Kyrgios said after withstanding Tsonga’s electric challenge.

“It was amazing. I’d never won a match on this court, coming here.

“Playing Jo, I was nervous, he was the guy I looked up to as a kid. Just amazing to get through.

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“I stayed composed, tried to just focus and I so happy just to get through.”

The 17th seed will chase a third grand slam quarter-final appearance when he challenges Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday after the Bulgarian downed Russian Andrey Rublev 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4.

In an enthralling clash lasting 3hrs, 17mins, both Kyrgios and Tsonga served supremely — the Frenchman also had 28 aces and only four doubles — and both had their issues.

For Tsonga, it was a distracting clash with a spectator.

The normally placid all-courter was so annoyed he challenged the unknown offender to come onto the court, shouting “bring him down here and I’ll kick his ass.”

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His outburst drew an unofficial caution from US umpire Jake Garner, but Tsonga would not be restrained.

“He said something to me and I do what I want,” Tsonga roared. Garner then formally warned Tsonga for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Kyrgios’s decision to partner Matt Reid in doubles surprised many with several retired players pointing to the Canberran’s three-setter in Thursday’s heat as a fitness negative.

Kyrgios was calm under pressure during two vital tie-breakers

Kyrgios defied a worrying trend and held his nerve impressively in the face of Tsonga’s phenomenal 70 winners.

Asked post-match if he would partner Reid in second-round doubles, Kyrgios smiled and shook his head.

“Probably, probably. He’s a good mate of mine, I’ll see how I feel.”

Hollywood star Will Smith was on hand to watch Kyrgios triumph