Nick Kyrgios’s comeback at the Brisbane International ended in a close doubles loss, but he shrugged off the agony in his surgically repaired wrist.
After a grueling three-set loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday night, the Australian kept his word and joined Novak Djokovic in the second-round men’s doubles. Kyrgios predicted a difficult day for his serving arm and even hinted that his planned return to the Australian Open later this month was in doubt because of the severe beating he received from the big-serving French star.
With the exception of pulling at his right biceps every now and then, the 29-year-old appeared at ease as he struck serves at speeds of up to 200 km/h and once more displayed touch, agility, and reflexes that belied playing tennis at the tour level for almost two and a half years. Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic, the top seeds, defeated the all-star duo 6-2, 3-6, 10-8.
They had the match on their racket thanks to some fierce Kyrgios returns and lethal kick serves. The pair dropped the final four points of the match tie-break, but they still left with a smile on their faces after Djokovic’s double fault at 8-6 was calamitous.
“Incredible,” Mektic said to the packed house. It’s a great feeling to start the year this way, and we knew there would be points like that against players like these. “I was very happy when I saw them, and I could play them on the first of January.”
On Thursday, Djokovic, who is vying for his 100th ATP trophy, is likely to face Gaël Monfils in his second-round singles encounter. Before considering an attack in Melbourne Park, Kyrgios is eager to get back to Canberra and rest. After his engrossing 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (7-4), and 7-6 (7-3) match on Wednesday, Kyrgios was equally encouraged and sobered, so it was a plus that he even made it to Pat Rafter Arena.
He stated on Tuesday night, “I have six holes in my hand and one in my arm [from surgery]; no tennis player has ever had this surgery and returned and tried to play again.” “Everything is essentially an experimental [process]… There is no actual protocol for how it will be or seem.
“It’s hurting a lot at the moment. I used to abuse being youthful in this sport and not doing any cool down or anything like that, so I guess it’s biting me in the arse right now.”
In other news, the defending champion Grigor Dimitrov lost 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to the in-form Australian Aleksandar Vukic. In order to advance to the quarterfinals and face Dimitrov, Jordan Thompson will play Alex Michelsen in the last match.
