Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis deliver a spectacle but are no match for countrymen Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis showed a tamer brand on Thursday night, but were still happy to entertain the crowd with their usual tricks.
“Who took Special K this morning?” one fan shouted. Kyrgios carefully raised his hand in response.
There were some great moments in the first set as well, but both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis looked a little slow and struggled with their serves.
Throughout the first set, the two teams were tied at two games. But Polmans and Kubler won a crucial point after Kyrgios’ cheeky underarm serve and were suddenly on break point.
The “Special K’s” lost the opening set 4-6 and suddenly found themselves vulnerable. However, they managed to win the second set 6-4.
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After Kokkinakis hit a winning forehand, Kyrgios nearly stomped him in celebration before they both looked at the screens to watch their own replays.
Head referee Marijana Veljovic intervened several times to remind the crowd to be quiet and added: “Guys, the support… the cheering is great… but it’s disturbing for the players.”
Of course, their scolding went down like a lead balloon, prompting boos from the crowd followed by comical shushing.
“Guys, this isn’t funny,” Veljovic continued, sounding more like a failed school teacher trying to discipline a group of 10-year-olds.
Leading 4-1 in the third set, Kokkinakis’ medical timeout and physical intervention on his shoulder were a very important turning point in the match.
“Special K’s” then struggled to gain momentum, with Kokkinakis visibly grimacing as he served. Their opponents were very consistent in the tiebreaker and took a 6-3 lead before finishing the job with some excellent shots into the net.
At the post-match press conference, both Kokkinakis and Kyrgios looked disappointed; Kokkinakis told reporters he felt fans were seeing “shadows” of him and Kyrgios due to their injuries.
Australian stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis compete against compatriots Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.Credit: Penny Stephens
So is this the end of the doubles race?
Former world No. 4 commentator Jelena Dokic was interviewed on Nine (which owns this byline) before the match on Thursday and urged the pair to consider full-time doubles.
“I’d actually like to see them play doubles full-time, at least [play] more tournaments. “I think it would be great,” he said in Nine news..
“If they play more matches they could be one of the best pairs in the world.”
On a positive note, Kyrgios said he feels like he has achieved all his goals physically over the last few weeks and will figure out future game plans once the mixed doubles season is over.
“I did everything I thought I could do,” he said.
“I don’t know what to do [next].”
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