“One of the most uncomfortable matches I’ve played in my career,” Nick Kyrgios reflects on his ‘awkward’ win over best friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in the US Open

“One of the most uncomfortable matches I’ve played in my career,” Nick Kyrgios reflects on his ‘awkward’ win over best friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in the US Open

Nick Kyrgios

World No. 25 and the 23rd seed at the 2022 US Open, Nick Kyrgios started his campaign in New York with a good win as he defeated his childhood buddy and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round. Nick won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in just over 2 hours to advance into the second round.

The match was played after the conclusion of Serena Williams‘ first-round clash with Danka Kovinic with the local girl winning the match as she is playing in the final tournament of her career. While the crowd was still buzzing with excitement after Serena clinched a straight-set victory, the two Australians ensured that the vibe did not drop and although Nick won in straight sets it was fairly a good game by both the players.

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Nick Kyrgios also won his 200th Tour win

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis

While Kyrgios had to defeat one of his childhood friends to continue further, he also in the process won his 200th Tour level win at the expense of Kokkinakis who continues to struggle in the singles discipline, unlike his partner who has been playing great throughout this season.

“Probably one of the most uncomfortable matches I’ve played in my career. I feel like we both had a game plan. We know our games so well. From the get-go, I was trying to block out his body and just play the tennis ball. I was really trying not to look at him at all. I felt like that kind of helped me.

“To play one of probably my best friends after Serena’s possible last match, with record-breaking attendance, it’s insane. A night I’m never going to forget. My 200th win as well. A couple of accolades today. It was good,” said Kyrgios after the win over Thanasi.

While Kyrgios was certainly disappointed with the match-up between the two, the ‘Special K’s’ will return to action in Doubles with their first-round clash confirmed against the young French-Italian pair of Hugo Gaston and Lorenzo Musetti. In the singles, Nick will next take on another Frenchman, this time, Benjamin Bonzi.

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