Nick Kyrgios has lashed out at a noisy fan as the Special K’s dream run is continuing. FOLLOW LIVE
Are you not entertained? The next instalment of the Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis show is in progress and the Special K’s are looking good after taking out the first set.
And Kyrgios got stuck into an unruly fan who yelled during his service motion.
After losing a point on his serve, Kyrgios told the fan in no uncertain terms: “Don’t scream out during my serve you numbnut”, which was met by applause from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Ticket confusion plagued the build up to the match because of mixed messaging following a decision from Tennis Australia to open the doors to the general public.
Tennis Australia announced yesterday that Rod Laver Arena day session tickets would be available for the same price as a ground pass.
SECOND SET – SPECIAL Ks SNATCH FIRST BREAK
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 7-4 Granollers & Zeballos 3-0
The first break of the match goes to the Aussies!
Their opponents managed to save three break points but the Special Ks managed to hold their nerve at deuce.
The exciting pair have taken the momentum into the second set and are in a great position.
Kyrgios then pulled off a massive 222km/h serve as the Aussies took the next game to get 3-0 up.
FIRST SET – KYRGIOS AND KOKKINAKIS AHEAD
TIEBREAK
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 7-4 Granollers & Zeballos
The Special Ks were able to secure a mini-break early in the tiebreak and came up trumps to claim the opening set– with Kyrgios throwing in a mid-game tweener, which proved unsuccessful.
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis* 6-6 Granollers & Zeballos
The Kyrgios serve is the best weapon so far this afternoon and the aussie’s power also forcing a change of sides from the guys on the other side of the net. They “lefty” Zeballos switching to accomodatethe force from NK.
Frustrations getting to Nick as they struggle again to try for a break. What should be straightforward returns from the big Aussie going way wide of the trams.
Time violation for Kokkinakis, too slow on the serve. Looking a little rattled, they would normally have edged ahead by this point of the match. I’d say this is the biggest test they have endured so far.
But an absolute gem of a cross court forehand from Kokk keeps them alive for a tie-break.
SAD IMAGE: Kyrgios & Kokkinakis* 4-4 Granollers & Zeballos
A sad contrast to what we are seeing unfold on Rod Laver Arena, two Aussie men are contesting the other doubles semi -fial and there’s under 100 people in the stadium. Sad state of affairs that the Special K effect hasn’t prompted others to go to Margaret Court.
But I can tell you that Ebden and Purcell have taken the first set 6-3.
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Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 3-4 Granollers & Zeballos*
Thundering forehands from Thanasi Kokkinakis and the crowd is loving it. Joy to watch him play so well given the injuries and hardships he has endured in singles.
Special K’s off to an encourgaing start but their opponents, as yet, not phased by the cauldron.
In fact they’re playing excemptionaly well given the pressure, pulling the Aussies all over the court. Really making them work for this.
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SCHEDULE – Rod Laver Arena (all times AEDT)
NOT BEFORE 2:30PM
KYRGIOS & KOKKINAKIS v GRANOLLERS & ZEBALLOS
NOT BEFORE 3:30PM
DYLAN ALCOTT V SAM SHRODER
7:30PM
ASH BARTY v MADISON KEYS
DANIELLE COLLINS v IGA SWIATEK
2:30pm WOODIES BACK THE SPECIALS
Australia’s greatest men’s doubles pairing is firmly in the corner of firebrand pair Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis as the “Special K” duo launch their assault on a final berth.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will take to Rod Laver Arena on this afternoon in their doubles semi-final against third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
And the famed Woodies – Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge — who claimed 11 grand slam titles including two Australian Opens during their partnership — are behind the pair and how they have sparked a resurgence for doubles crowds.
Woodforde told News Corp that while Kyrgios and Kokkinakis might have started the event with fun in mind, it could well translate to final success.
“I’m sure they have put a few noses out of joint (along the way), because I don’t think they were serious (to begin with),” Woodforde said.
“Maybe at the start of the tournament, they entered the draw thinking they were there to really just win a match or two and have some fun, keep it relaxed.”
He also said the pair’s success and raucous crowds had changed “how the AO is being looked upon right now”, and that it could have an unexpected flow-on effect for another star player.
“In a way, it’s helping Ash’s (Barty) success,” Woodforde said.
“That we’re not all watching and hoping for Ash’s success – it might be a real positive. But they’re deserving of having the eyeballs and attention on them, because they are super exciting.”
11:30am WHEN’S THE BABY DUE? STAR CALLS OUT SHOCKING SEXISM
Johanna Konta has called out sexism in the sport saying she is fielding questions ”no-one seems to be asking Rafa Nadal”.
Two months after suddenly calling time on her career, the former world No 4 said she was subjected to a line of questioning typical to the “middle aged men” that traditionally fill a tennis media conference.
Konta, who recently married her long-term partner – said not only do the inquiries highlight an outdated double standard, but also an insensitivity few seem to consider before opening their mouths.
“As a woman, you start getting to a certain age, hitting certain milestones and then it is straightaway assumed – ‘okay, well, when’s the baby coming?’” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“I don’t think it’s done with any harm, but it would be nice to talk about my career and things like that – like my male counterparts in the sport.
“I’m not sure they’re asking Rafa Nadal when he was finally going to marry his girlfriend before he did, or when he is going to have kids.
“I think it can be a bit insensitive, especially for people who maybe don’t want to [have children] or have other difficulties. You just don’t know.
“I think it was unfortunate (to be asked about it), but I was not alone in that. And while our tennis press is mainly made up of middle-aged men, I think the questions are going to be catered so.”
8:55am AUSSIE SET TO TAKE ASH DOW
I’m having a hit of tennis in Melbourne. Doubles with great mates. There’s a sharp leftie called Craig O’Shannessy by my side. He knows his stuff.
At 2-2 and 0-15, he casually mentions, “I absolutely know 100 per cent how to beat Ash Barty.” Really? Tell me more.
He’s a great bloke. A fine player. And he’s not mucking around. He’s the most esteemed analyst in the sport.
Devised tactics for Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini but even more interestingly, he’s plotted the demise of Barty to Alison Riske at the 2019 Wimbledon championships.
It’s fascinating stuff. If Barty knows how to poke holes in Madison Keys’ game in Thursday night’s Australian Open semi-final, a match against a big-hitting American that has alarm bells ringing all over it for the world No.1, O’Shannessy has pored over enough data and footage to know how to poke holes in Barty.“Kill the forehand,” he says.
8:30am MEDVEDEV BOOED
Danil Medvedev is turning into the ultimate tennis troll and he loves it.
After fighting back to secure his semi-final spot, he told the crowd he was channelling his innner Novak Djokovic.
You can imagine how that went down.
Asked about his inspiration to charge back from two sets to love down, Medvedev told the crowd:
“He (Auger-Aliassime) was all over me to be honest,” he said.
“I didn’t really know what to do so I was like, actually, I don’t know if people are going to like it but I told myself what Novak would do.”
The answer led to large boos from the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
Medvedev then added:
“You know what came to my mind was that because he is one of the greatest champions, or Rafa or Roger to be honest, they have won so many matches like this.”
By comparison, the mention of Rafael Nada and Roger Federer drew large cheers.
8am AUSSIES WIN AT 3AM
Australians Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler had never won a match together before entering the 2022 Australian Open mixed doubles.
Now, they are into the final at Melbourne Park after a stunning comeback win.
The pair will face off against the fifth seeds, France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Croatia’s Ivan Dodig.
Fourlis and Kubler fought back from one set down to defeat the Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka and Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar 2-6 7-6(2) [10-6].
Fourlis and Kubler defeated No. 7 seeds Nina Stojanovic and Mate Pavic in the first round, before downing experienced Australian duo Sam Stosur and Matthew Ebden in the second.
Before the match, Kubler said they couldn’t quite believe their dream run.
“It’s crazy when we win, we look at each other and think ‘what the hell is happening right now?’,” Kubler said. “It’s not just our first semi-final, it’s our first quarterfinal, our first second round, our first anything.”
Fourlis said they had felt the support of the home crowd in progressing through to the final.
“We’ve got a lot of my friends and family here. I’m from Melbourne so it is really great to do it here. It’s been unreal,” she said. “I feel like for us it’s just one match at a time, one day at a time and anything is possible.”
7:45am GOOD MORNING
It is a MASSIVE day at Melbourne Park. Four huge Aussie clashes coming up today and we have plenty of news to come on them all. The Specials Ks are first up as they continue their quest for glory in the men’s doubles semi-final. Don’t forget in the other semi we have Matt Ebden and Max Purcell so we’re on for an All-Australian final at this stage.
Dylan Alcott’s final match is coming up after Kyrgios and Kokk, the Australian of the Year looking to end his incredible career on a high. And tonight, Ash Barty looking to end a 44-year wait for an Aussie women’s finalist. She’s up against Madison Keys.
ALOT HAPPENING!
Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis doubles start time, Dylan Alcott final
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