US Open: Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis through to Round 3 of Men’s doubles

After a rusty round one doubles clash, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were relegated to Court 11 for round 2. But it didn’t stop the Special Ks from putting on a show.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a forehand against Benjamin Bonzi

Nick Kyrgios’s New York forays to Broadway must be paying off, with the Aussie turning showman in his second-round doubles match with Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The Special Ks have brought their brand of entertaining doubles to the US Open, where they have eyes on a second grand slam title after snaring the Australian Open earlier this year.

The pair disposed of Swede Andre Goransson and Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 7-6 without facing a break point on serve on Sunday morning, to set up a round 3 clash against Lloyd Galsspool and Harri Heliovaara.

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Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios are through to Round 3 of the Men’s Doubles after beating Andre Goransson of Sweden and Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. Picture: AFP.

Scheduled on the Louis Armstrong show court for their opening match, a rusty victory against first-time pairing Frenchman Hugo Gaston and Italian Lorenzo Musetti which went to a deciding third set, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were relegated to Court 11 for round 2 - a more familiar home for the early rounds of the doubles.

It didn’t stop them from putting on a show though.

After breaking Goransson’s serve in the fifth game, Kyrgios eventually served set out the first set 6-4 before winning the second in a tiebreak.

After storming around the court in his second-round singles match, Kyrgios has found a new chill over the past two days, leading to a straight sets singles wins against JJ Wolf and his doubles victory with Kokkinakis.

The Special Ks showed no mercy against their opponents. Picture: AFP.

And while Kyrgios has declared he wants to win another doubles title, he is now shifting his focus to his fourth-round singles match. Picture: AFP.

While Kyrgios has already declared he and Kokkinakis are eyeing the title at Flushing Meadows, his mind is also already on his fourth-round singles match against world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev.

When challenged by chair umpire for what she considered unnecessarily hitting a ball back following a Goransson fault, Kyrgios argued his aggressive singles mindset had taken over.

“What would you like me to do? You clearly haven’t played Medvedev,” he said of the return he fired.

The pair had no mercy on the 188cm Goransson, who closed on the net several times for cheap volley points.

Kokkinakis drilled a volley at the big man for a 5-3 lead in tiebreak, with a Kyrgios winner down the line off Nishioka’s serve getting them to match point.

The sublime backhand sent Kyrgios into high-stepping celebrations and all but ensured he and Kokkinakis will be back on the show courts later in the tournament.

KYRGIOS NEAR-PERFECT IN SETTING UP MEDVEDEV SHOWDOWN

—Emily Benammar, Erin Smith

Nick Kyrgios has boogied his way through to the fourth round of the US Open, defeating American JJ Wolf in straight sets.

A clinical Kyrgios, who dished up 21 aces, still made time to entertain the crowd in his 6-4, 6-2 6-3 win, stopping between points to bust out a few dance moves.

He momentarily unravelled early in the third set, when Wolf took a 0-40 lead, resorting to shouting at his player’s box before fighting his way back to hold serve.

At 5-3 the match was well within Kyrgios control, with the final few points all but a formality.

Kyrgios rounded at the game 40-30 to wrap up the match in under two hours. It is the first time in his career the Aussie has reached the fourth round of the US Open.

He is likely to Daniil Medvedev in the next round and couldn’t resist a subtle dig to his recent nemesis post match.

“I’m happy to move forward and play Medvedev,” Kyrgios said.

“If he’s winning.”

Nick Kyrgios put on a fine display in defeating JJ Wolf in straight sets. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Kyrgios defended some of his on-court antics while tributing his family back in Australia.

“I’ve definitely grown some thick skin in this game, I’ve had a lot of criticism and I’m doing it for my team.

“We have all been away from home for a while now. I’m playing for people back at home too.”

He also expressed his appreciation for the career of the retiring Serena Williams who was defeated while his match against Wolf was on court.

“It was a special moment, even myself and JJ looked up at the screen,” he said.

“She has had a career that no one else will emulate, she once in a generation athlete, I wouldn’t put myself in the same category ever - it was a hell of a way to go out.”

GAME SET MATCH NICK KYRGIOS

THIRD SET: KYRGIOS 6-2 WOLF

Wolf now serving to stay in this match and Kyrgios looking to secure a fourth round berth and possible clash with Danil Medvedev (who plays next). Solid and clinical from Nick today. Great tennis

THIRD SET: KYRGIOS 4-2 WOLF

Just an hour and 40 minutes into this battle and it seems like more of a formality than anything else right? Nick in very business like mood today it seems. No messing about - there’s still time though.

THIRD SET: KYRGIOS 2-1 WOLF

The crowd may be enjoying Nick Kyrgios exceptional tennis, but they want more so J.J. Wolf’s fight back to take the third game of the set was met with a huge cheer. Wolf almost broke but then he unleashed some ripping forehands beating Kyrgios at his own power game.

THIRD SET: KYRGIOS 2-0 WOLF

Nick has consolidated his early break, but it was not without drama with Wold taking pushing the Australian into a epic decider in which both players swapped advantage. The pressure started to ell at one point with Kyrgios resorting to his ugly tactic of yelling at his own supporters box in an attempt to find some extra energy.

SECOND SET: KYRGIOS 6-2 WOLF

On any night Nick Kyrgios’ silky tennis would be the story, of course tonight belongs to Serena. Regardless, Kyrgios is making a statement here with some superb power tennis. The Australian has served 13 aces to Wolf’s five and is perfect on match point winning three from three.

My goat!!!! Kyrgios pic.twitter.com/l7P6eqXQqr

— Tristan™️ (@steelcitychamp_) September 3, 2022

FIRST SET: KYRGIOS 6-4 WOLF

Nick Kyrgiosneeded just the one break to seal the opening set against Wolf. Statistically there’s not much to split the two players but it was the Australian who won the big points when they mattered.

Kyrgios cruising in the first set 👌#StanSportAU#USOpenpic.twitter.com/K4a52hRQbc

— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) September 3, 2022

KYRGIOS 4-3 WOLF

Nick may not be getting too many first serves in (53%) but he’s making them count up six aces to the American’s one. Kyrgios is entertaining those on court, of course all eyes off of it are on Serena right now …

Friday night views at the #UsOpen featuring Nick Kyrgios. pic.twitter.com/krd7olq6a3

— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) September 3, 2022

KYRGIOS 3-2 WOLF

Nick’s first serve looking in better shape than his second round early on today, up at 56%, so he will be happier with this start. And he backs up a decent service performance with an early break.

GUSHING TRIBUTE TO MUM

Nick Kyrgios has lifted the veil on the anguish he feels stranded thousands of miles from family and friends in an emotional Instagram post on his mother’s birthday.

Just hours after a tempestuous second-round US Open win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, during which he berated his supposed nearest and dearest in his supporters box, Kyrgios made a moving tribute to his mother on social media.

“ma …. I hope you had a great birthday,” Kyrgios wrote to his mother Norlaila, who has been battling ill health.

“I can’t tell you how hard it is for me to continue to travel and compete knowing I miss out on days like this.

“I know I haven’t always been the easiest to deal with and I know I’ve stressed you out.

“I really miss you, I know you are dealing with so many things but I just want you to know that I don’t know anyone stronger than you. I hope I’m making you proud, u & dad….”

Kyrgios is an enigma.

KYRGIOS IS EXPECTED TO START HIS MATCH AT 10:15AM AEST SATURDAY

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a forehand against Benjamin Bonzi

A freakishly talented showman with the capacity to play tennis as well as anyone in the world and draw new audiences to the game, he also turns thousands off with his at-times appallingly brattish on-court behaviour - most of it directed at those he professes to care most deeply about.

But recent messages to his mother reveal plenty about the usually private Canberran, who scribbled “stay strong Ma” on a broadcast camera at the Montreal Masters lead-in event a fortnight ago.

Kyrgios later said Norlaila had been in hospital, while his father has also been unwell and his brother and partner have recently welcomed a baby - significant family events he has missed while overseas.

Kyrgios back home in Canberra a number of years ago with Mum Nill.

Kyrgios’s brother Christos replied, reassuring his sibling the delight his parents were deriving from his performances.

“Love this one so much brother,” he said in reply to Kyrgios’s post.

“I know she tells you anyway, but she and all of us couldn’t be more proud of you.

“Unbreakable us bunch, and we are always with each other. Everyone is so proud of you! Let’s go unc!”

Kyrgios continues his US Open campaign when he takes the court with great mate Thanasi Kokkinakis in their opening doubles match on Friday (AEST) ahead of his round 3 singles clash against American JJ Wolf on Saturday.