A place in the third round of the Australian Open awaits young Aussie star Nick Kyrgios but he must first get past no. 27 seed Benoit Paire from France. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEDT.
Kyrgios’ opening round victory over Benjamin Becker demonstrated that the young Australian certainly has the talent and firepower to cause a few ripples in the men’s draw.
Possessing a monster serve and forehand shot, Kyrgios overpowered Becker in the first round en route to a highly impressive four set victory.
Kyrgios’ game is very similar to that of highly ranked Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Both players possess the ability to hit deep groundstrokes off the forehand and backhand side.
It is the young Australian’s serve however that is his main weapon. Kyrgios served 34 aces against Becker and won 91 percent of points when his first serve went in to play.
However, Kyrgios did win only 44 percent of his second serves so he will need to improve that statistic if he is a chance of beating Paire tonight.
Paire is certainly capable of defeating the very best players on tour. He made the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome last year beating Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets during that tournament.
At 24 years of age, Paire is also approaching the prime of his career and will be keen to secure passage to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
While Paire consistency and experience on the ATP tour will serve him well, a fit and firing Kyrgios certainly has the weapons to cause the upset.
Krygios in four sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire has shown great fight here to come back from two sets down against a fired up Kyrgios that looked well on course for victory after winning the opening two sets. The young Australian however began suffering cramps during the fourth and fifth sets and this really disabled any chance of him winning the match. Paire finished the match very strongly and now has a fantastic chance to go deep into the tournament, given that Del Potro has been knocked out in his half of the draw. Great performance by Kyrgios who certainly has the potential and power to make headlines down the track. Thanks for following and joins us for more Aus Open action later today Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH PAIRE - Kyrgios going down swinging here as he produces a fantastic forehand return crosscourt winner! Great stuff. His backhand goes long though and Paire from two sets down wins the match! Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire with two match points as he produces a forehand volley Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
The drop shot this time works for Paire as it sets up the easy backhand winner to the open court. 30-0. Double fault and its 30-15 Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios has run out of steam here after such a bright start to the match. The cramps have taken their toll on the young Australian. Paire's experience on the tour should win out here. Great comeback from the Frenchman. 15-0 Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK PAIRE - Paire with a passing forehand winner there and will serve for the match! Great comeback Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
2 break points now for Paire as unforced errors begin to mount for Kyrgios. He produces a forehand winner though and saves a break point Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Despite being severely hampered by cramp, Kyrgios is still fighting on here. Forehand well long and its 15 all Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire with a serve and volley and he holds easily for 4-2 Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios moving better now but Paire still on top at 30-0. Kyrgios in pain now as he tried to chase down a drop shot. Paire with another ace for 40-0 Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
40-0 now as Kyrgios just goes for winners at will given that he can barely move. He holds well Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 2 Paire 6 6 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
What a shame. A two set lead and everything was rosy for Kyrgios. Now, he is great pain and barely moving around the court. 30-0 on his serve though Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire holds easily and its 3-1 now in the fifth set Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire just serving the ball in and Kyrgios cannot return anything here. Literally he is the walking dead here.... Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios playing on one leg here.... don't know if he will continue. Has to call a medcal time out surely..... Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 2
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK PAIRE - Kyrgios is the walking dead here as Paire breaks... Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios struggling with his cramp or calf here big time now! Break points for Paire.... Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire too good with the forehand volley and its 15-30 now. Frenchman looking to pounce Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 1
Alan
Roar Guru
15 all as Paire nets the forehand return Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Paire holds easily and its 1-1 fifth set Kyrgios 7 7 4 2 1 Paire 6 6 6 6 1