Australian Open 2020: Nick Kyrgios wins thriller to set up Rafael Nadal showdown
Nick Kyrgios will face Rafael Nadal after beating Karen Khachanov in an epic match | WATCH
Welcome to day six coverage of the 2020 Australian Open from Melbourne Park. Nick Kyrgios has set up a showdown with Rafael Nadal after winning an epic third-round match.
Courtney Walsh 12.30am: ‘Insane’ win stuns Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios produced a marvellous performance on Melbourne Arena to win the longest match of his career, but his success over Karen Khachanov meant far more than that.
After a tumultuous few seasons where his temperament has sullied his image, the Canberran has been on song all summer in every regard.
One season does not change the misdeeds of the past, but it can certainly alter the perception of at least some people.
The 24-year-old has beaten the world’s greatest players players but his 6-2 7-6 (5) 6-7 (6) 6-7 (7) 7-6 (8) victory in 4hr 26min is arguably his best given the circumstances.
He later said it was his best fighting effort since a triumph over Andreas Seppi on the court in 2015, a year he made the quarterfinals.
The prize is a clash against Rafael Nadal, the world No 1 and arguably his number one nemesis.
The Spaniard holds a narrow 4-3 lead in their head-to-head record and they played one of the best matches of 2019 at Wimbledon last year.
When quizzed about his first fourth round match at a major since 2018, Kyrgios was complimentary of the legendary lefty. “He has a winning record against me,” he said.
“Whatever happens between us, he is an amazing player. He is arguably the greatest player of all time. He is a champion.
“I am going to do everything I can now and give everything and hopefully it will be enough.”
Kyrgios faces a significant task to be fresh for that clash, but that is a matter of concern for Monday.
It is his heroics on Saturday night that should be properly celebrated. Certainly, the reception he received on Melbourne Arena after the victory was phenomenal.
This is the Kyrgios fans want to support, a player who is capable of magic and mayhem and everything in between.
He gave fans all he had on Saturday night, more than might have been predicted after the disappointment in the third and fourth sets, and they loved every moment of it.
“It is definitely one of the best wins of my career, I would say. It was insane,” he said. “It was crazy. I don’t even know what to say right now. It was insane. I have no words for what happened.”
It was the second epic on successive nights involving an Australian after John Millman pushed Roger Federer to the brink.
The only person in awe more than all of us after that incredible display from Nick Kyrgios... Nick Kyrgios.
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 25, 2020
"That's definitely one of the best wins in my career." That was something else. ðŸ‘
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/8dusktvNX3#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/XbTIMoeRGG
After Millman was beaten 10-8 in a super tiebreaker by Federer, Kyrgios used social media to state that he “felt sick” for his friend.
The third Australian to require a super tiebreaker to split combatants in the opening week after Jordan Thompson was denied by Fabio Fognini, Kyrgios delivered in a true thriller. Khachanov did not deserve to lose. But this time the script favoured the local hope.
There were moments of frustration with the umpire — the Australian had a reasonable excuse on this occasion — and his team.
But Kyrgios was largely focused and fought with all he could muster after chances to end the match earlier went begging.
“I was losing it mentally a little bit,” he said. “It wasn’t easy losing the third and then the fourth after losing match points. You guys willed me over the line. I thought I was going to lose, honestly.”
He praised Khachanov, who showed phenomenal recovery powers given he had progressed to the third round via a similar epic two nights earlier.
“He is an absolute warrior. He is going to be one to do special things. He is an amazing player. It is just the beginning for him,” he said.
Kyrgios started the super tiebreaker extremely well in his bid to avoid the same fate, moving to a 3-0 lead. But by the first change of ends the score was back on level footing.
And when the Russian constructed an outstanding point clinched by a backhand crosscourt winner, the Australian was on the back foot at 4-3.
When the pair changed ends again after 12 points, the score was level at 6-all. The clock read 4hr 22min and they still could not be separated.
The moment of truth had arrived. And it was Khachanov who made the first move, drawing an error from the Kyrgios forehand when forcing him wide to move to 8-7.
The Canberran struck back with an outstanding backhand winner down the line to level.
And when the Russian netted a backhand in the following rally, the match was on the racquet of the Australian.
Kyrgios possesses one of the best serves on record. He thumped it wide to the backhand. Khachanov rifled a return to an awkward spot. But the Australian was able to make a difficult angle with an off-forehand and that ultimately drew an error.
On winning, he collapsed like he had won a major. That may well prove beyond him given his next rival is Nadal. But he certainly won over the crowd, at the very least.
There was a moment of concern in the first set when Kyrgios, at a time he was in a dominant position, was forced to leave the court to receive medical assistance.
He told a trainer prior that he felt an issue with his left glute. But he was able to close out the opening set with ease and later said it was not a significant problem.
The 23rd seed looked to be cruising in the third set when, similarly to what occurred against Gilles Simon in the second round, he dropped serve when a break ahead and subsequently lost the tiebreaker.
There was a flare up at 4-all in the fourth set. Kyrgios inexplicably tried a between-the-legs shot when leading 30-all.
Then with his hand bleeding from a previous nick or his hand, which occurred when he rolled on the ground to make a shot in an incredible rally, he grabbed a towel.
But he was issued with a time violation by the umpire, which angered the Australian and prompted a heated exchange.
In the fourth set tiebreaker, the Australian worked to a good position at 4-3, only to concede the next two points on serve.
But a beautiful backhand whipped down the line levelled the scores, but it was Khachanov who had the first set point.
Kyrgios saved that with a powerful serve to the backhand. And then brought up a match point of his own with another well constructed point.
It went begging and when the Russian served an ace on the next point, the Australian faced another critical moment.
And when he narrowly missed with a forehand down the line in a rally, the match was back on level footing.
The deciding set was everything the previous three sets decided by tiebreakers were. Brilliant serving. Strong hitting. Some great saves when under pressure. And as tense as can be. It was another truly brilliant match in an Open that has seen plenty.
11.40pm: Kyrgios wins an epic
Nick Kyrgios has set up a dream round-of-16 Australian Open clash with Spanish adversary Rafael Nadal after beating Karen Khachanov in an epic five-set match, AAP reports.
Kyrgios edged out the Russian 16th seed on Saturday night at Melbourne Park, 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (8-6) 6-7 (9-7) 7-6 (10-8) in a thrilling third-round match.
The Monday match-up against Nadal is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament with no love lost between the pair.
— AAP
ð•‹â„ð•Œð”¼ 🇦🇺 ð”¾â„ð•€ð•‹@NickKyrgios is through to the #AusOpen fourth round for the third time, def. Karen Khachanov 6-2 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 6-7(7) 7-6(8), where he will meet World No.1 Rafael Nadal.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/f9CWmdAEwG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2020
Courtney Walsh 11pm: Popyrin popped
Outstanding Russian Daniil Medvedev has ended the Australian Open hopes of emerging Australian Alexei Popyrin with a dominant display on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old had hoped to reach the second week of a major for the first time after reaching the last 32 of a major for the third time in the past five grand slams.
But he was never really in the hunt against the US Open finalist, who was a convincing 6-4 6-3 6-2 winner in 1hr 47min.
While the first set was relatively tight, Popyrin appeared to hurt his hip flexor early in the second set and was forced to leave the court for medical attention.
Already facing a significant test at that stage of the match, the challenge against one of the brightest talents in tennis became almost impossible.
Medvedev, who is the winner of two Masters tier events, will now play 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round.
Popyrin exits Melbourne with a growing belief he can compete at major level, despite the nature of the loss.
By defending the points earned last year when reaching the third round, he has also ensured he will retain a ranking inside the top 100.
Courtney Walsh 5.40pm: Barty hits prime time
Ash Barty will take centre stage at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night she seeks to avenge a loss to Alison Riske.
The world No.1, who was upset by the American veteran at Wimbledon last year, is bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the second straight year.
The Queenslander tuned up for her match against Riske, which will begin at 7pm, with a women’s doubles outing on Saturday.
The Queenslander and partner Julia Georges were beaten 7-5 6-4 by Kiki Mladenovic and Timea Babos.
After his marathon triumph over John Millman, Roger Federer will again play the late night fixture on Rod Laver Arena, this time against Marton Fucsovics.
Last year’s finalist Petra Kvitova starts singles action on the main court at 1pm against Greek talent Maria Sakkari.
Novak Djokovic will continue his bid for an eighth Australian Open title against Argentinian Diego Schwartzman in the other day session match.
5.20pm: Nadal wins through
World No.1 Rafael Nadal has demolished fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open, AAP reports.
Nadal’s 6-1 6-2 6-4 procession in 1he 38min sets up a potential last-16 blockbuster with Nick Kyrgios on Monday.
The Australian world No.26 faces Karen Khachanov in his third-round match later on Saturday night.
Nadal avoided the bait when John McEnroe put it to him that he would prefer to play Kyrgios, with whom he’s had a history of niggle.
“Both players are great players,” Nadal said. “Nick is excited to play here at home. Karen is a player with great potential. I’ll be watching and hoping for a good tennis match.”
— AAP
Courtney Walsh 4.30pm: Aussies in action
Nick Kyrgios (23) v Karen Khachanov (16)
Melbourne Arena. 6.50pm
The Canberran has been in good form all summer, with his precision on serve superb and his focus in general largely sound. A tune-up for this clash against Gilles Simon was positive, for the Frenchman makes rivals hit plenty of balls.
Khachanov boasts a bigger game than Simon but he has also endured a testing path to reach the third round. A statistical analysis shows he has effectively used twice as much energy as the Australian to date.
When they met in Cincinnati last August, Kyrgios was in a strong position until he was issued a time violation. He erupted, lost the match and ultimately found himself issued with a suspended sentence. If he can maintain his composure, the 23rd seed is favoured here.
Alexei Popyrin v Daniil Medvedev (4)
Rod Laver Arena. Second match, night session.
The 20-year-old has fared well in his last five grand slam appearances, with this Australian Open the third time he has reached this stage of a major.
He does face an extremely difficult task against Medvedev, who reached the US Open final last September amid other extremely good form.
The key for Popyrin will be to serve well and attack where possible. He does not want to be drawn into a war of attrition. The Australian was able to take a set off the world No.4 at Wimbledon and will aim to match that early to give himself a chance of kicking on.
2.20pm: Draw opens up for Barty as Pliskova crashes out
The women’s upsets continue at the Australian Open, with world No 2 Karolina Pliskova crashing out in the third round at Melbourne Park.
Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ended Pliskova’s campaign on Saturday with a shock 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) win on Rod Laver Arena.
Pliskova was previously unbeaten in 2020, having won the season-opening Brisbane International and then two more matches in Melbourne.
While Pavlyuchenkova moves on to play Angelique Kerber for a quarter-final spot, Pliskova joins 2019 champion Naomi Osaka and seven-time winner Serena Williams on the Open scrap heap.
Champion in 2016 and seeded 17th this campaign, Kerber earlier continued her quiet progression through the draw with a hard-fought 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 win over Italian Camila Giorgi.
The former world No 1 rued not being able to close out the match in the second-set tie-breaker, but was nevertheless thrilled to prevail after more than two hours of baseline grind.
“It was a tough battle,” Kerber said after advancing to the second week for the sixth time in eight years.
“She really hits the ball fast and deep. So I was just trying to (keep) moving good, especially at the end of the third set.
“It’s great to be in the second week in Melbourne again. It’s still a long way. I have to get ready for the next one.
“To be ready to be fighting … have a good day off tomorrow and then looking forward to playing my best tennis again.”
AAP
10am: Fourth round awaits for two Australians
Australia could have two men in the Australian Open fourth round for the first time in five years if Nick Kyrgios and Alexei Popyrin succeed in Saturday action at Melbourne Park.
Kygrios advanced through to the quarter-finals back in 2015, fighting back from two sets down to beat Italian Andreas Seppi in a five-set thriller in the fourth round.
Kyrgios was then eliminated in straight sets by former world No 1 Andy Murray. Bernard Tomic also flew the flag in the round of 16, falling to Czech Tomas Berdych, who was then world No 7.
Russian 16th seed Karen Khachanov stands in the way of Kyrgios this year, with the Australian getting his wish for a rowdy Melbourne Arena night match. The only time the two have played was at last year’s Cincinnati Masters, when Kyrgios lost the plot as well as the match, and was fined for verballing abusing a chair umpire.
A win is expected to set up a dream showdown with Rafael Nadal. Popyrin has a formidable challenge in another Russian, world No 4 Daniil Medvedev, with that match the last of the night session on Rod Laver Arena. The pair have only met once, in the second round at Wimbledon last year when Medvedev won a tight tussle 6-7 (8-6) 6-1 6-4 6-4.
“I played him in Wimbledon last year and was a really tough match, exhausting one,” Medvedev said.
“A really close one – I managed to win it, but already at the last Australian Open we saw how he can play in grand slams in front of the home crowd. “So it’s not gonna be easy.” In other matches, world No 2 Czech Karolina Pliskova takes on 30th-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening day match on Rod Laver Arena. Simona Halep, the 2018 beaten finalist, follows them on to court against Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan.
World No 34 American Taylor Fritz is up against fifth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem in day action on Margaret Court Arena.
AAP
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