scoreline: Kyrgios 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Terrific match from Kyrgios against the big serving Ivo Karlovic. Kyrgios in my opinion served better despite serving less aces. Under pressure, it was Kyrgios who rose to the occasion and produced on the big points when it mattered. The Australian now has a real eye for a fourth round spot where Federer could await. On form, Kyrgios will be hard to beat.
Expect plenty of aces today as Nick Kyrgios clashes against the big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the second round of the Australian Open. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from around 5:00pm AEDT.
Kyrgios is coming off a taxing five-set win over Argentine Federico Delbonis. The injury time-out that the young Australian needed to treat his back in the first set seemed to do the trick as he rallied from a break down to secure the first set.
Overall, Kyrgios got a good workout against Delbonis and finished the match strongly after the Argentine won the fourth set in a tie-breaker.
At his best, Kyrgios would start a warm favourite against Karlovic. While Karlovic is the bigger server, Kyrgios has the better all-court game as demonstrated by last year’s remarkable win over Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
However, Kyrgios’ back problems will continue to be a hot topic of discussion as long as he remains in the tournament. Against a big server like Karlovic, Kyrgios may have to brace himself for a lengthy affair against a player who hardly loses his own serve.
In short, Kyrgios’ back will get another lengthy workout and it remains to be seen if the Australian is able to push on through any pain he may be experiencing.
Karlovic on the other hand is enjoying a new lease of life on the ATP tour and is playing some fine tennis at the age of 35. His biggest scalp of the year is none other than Novak Djokovic, who he beat in three tight sets in Doha en route to the semi-finals.
With such a big serve in his arsenal, Karlovic loves to employ the serve and volley and such play may work well against an opponent with some fitness concerns.
Despite battling back soreness, the home crowd should drive Kyrgios on as it has done for many Australians in action so far at the Open. The crowd factor should be enough inspiration for Kyrgios to secure a tight win.
Kyrgios in four sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Terrific match from Kyrgios against the big serving Ivo Karlovic. Kyrgios in my opinion served better despite serving less aces. Under pressure, it was Kyrgios who rose to the occasion and produced on the big points when it mattered. The Australian now has a real eye for a fourth round spot where Federer could await. On form, Kyrgios will be hard to beat. Kyrgios 7 6 5 6 Karlovic 6 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH KYRGIOS Kyrgios 7 6 5 6 Karlovic 6 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Another ace for three match points Kyrgios! Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Karlovic yet again with the poor backhand volley he should have made! Goodness me what an error. 15-0. Karlovic's volleying has let him down today. Ace and its 30-0 for Kyrgios Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Karlovic with another ace. 39 for the match. 40-0. Another ace for no. 40 but Kyrgios will now serve for the match Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Serve and volley for 30-0 Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Karlovic with an ace for 15-0. Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios with an ace and he holds. One game away from the third round! Kyrgios 7 6 5 5 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Another great serve down the tee for 40-0 Kyrgios 7 6 5 4 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Good serving from Kyrgios and its 15-0 Kyrgios 7 6 5 4 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Karlovic races to 40-0 with good serving. Karlovic holds well Kyrgios 7 6 5 4 Karlovic 6 4 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Have to say that Kyrgios third round opponent hardly anything to be scared of. Fourth round meeting against Roger Federer very likely Kyrgios 7 6 5 4 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios with an ace and he consolidates the break! Kyrgios 7 6 5 4 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
40-30 as Karlovic fails to return the wide serve. Kyrgios 7 6 5 3 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault and its 15-30. Kyrgios needs to keep his wits about him... Kyrgios 7 6 5 3 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Kyrgios wide with the backhand down the line. 0-15 Kyrgios 7 6 5 3 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Well there you go! I said that Karlovic was getting on top mentally but Kyrgios now breaks and is on top in the fourth set. Huge moment. Karlovic dropped his level and the Australian raised his. The result is a match defining break perhaps for the aussie! Kyrgios 7 6 5 3 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK KYRGIOS Kyrgios 7 6 5 3 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault and its another break point for Kyrgios Kyrgios 7 6 5 2 Karlovic 6 4 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Karlovic too good with the serve and volley and its back to deuce. Two break points saved Kyrgios 7 6 5 2 Karlovic 6 4 7 2