Tennis: Australian Open champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis qualify in doubles for ATP Finals in Turin

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have qualified in doubles for the ATP Finals at two fellow Australians’ expense.

Australian Open champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are guaranteed a doubles berth at this month’s eight-team ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

The high-profile pairing, known as the ‘Special Ks’, sit seventh in the ATP doubles race and are locked in based off the event’s grand slam champion provision.

The rule ensures a doubles combination who won a grand slam title together that year, and is ranked between eighth and 20th in the doubles team rankings after the Paris Masters, qualifies for Turin in eighth place.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are currently seventh but aren’t playing in Paris, meaning they will almost certainly slide in the rankings – but not outside the top 20.

Fellow Aussies Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, who lost the Australian Open final to Kyrgios and Kokkinakis but won the Wimbledon title, were also eligible under the provision but can’t catch their countrymen in the rankings.

Australian Open champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, pictured after winning the final over Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, have qualified for the ATP Finals. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ebden is partnering Jamie Murray in Paris, while Purcell is trying to improve his singles ranking in Challenger events in Australia.

The Kyrgios-Kokkinakis union proved ragingly popular at Melbourne Park in January during their barnstorming and unlikely title triumph.

Their matches filled the stands despite doubles typically being played in front of small crowds,

That owed to the Special Ks’ entertaining style of play, although it also caused some angst with some of their opponents, including then-world No.1s Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis played seven tournaments together this season for an impressive 18-5 record.

They also won the Atlanta title and made the semi-finals in Miami and Tokyo.

The ATP Finals will be held from November 13-20.