Nick Kyrgios will be like the Melbourne Cup when he stops the nation tonight, taking on Andy Murray in a quarter-final of the Australian Open.
That’s a fair comparison, Kyrgios has proved himself a thoroughbred in his short but spectacular career of seven Slams, against Murray’s 35.
In experience terms, the 19-year-old Aussie is still an international rookie, but this is his second Slam quarter final, and he doesn’t intend to let his run end at Melbourne Park tonight.
Murray’s CV rates him among the world’s top four, a fact Kyrgios salutes with respect.
But there will be no mercy from Kyrgios if he plays to form, and unleashes his fearless power.
So far in this tournament, Kyrgios has served 97 aces in his four rounds, Murray just 37.
The 97 in second only to another quarter finalist, Canada’s Milos Raonic with 99.
Murray doesn’t figure in the top 20.
But make no mistake, Murray is no back-seater when it comes to serving, his placement and consistency certainly covers for a lack of aces.
In other important stats, Kyrgios has smacked 227 winners, Murray 142, further underlining Kyrgios’ fearless and relentless slather and whack approach.
Both players have far more winners than unforced errors, proof enough both are in form – Kyrgios has 66 unforced to Murray’s 105.
But for mine, the most telling stat are break point conversions, and that’s where Kyrgios has genuine problems.
In the four rounds to date, Kyrgios has converted only 11 of his 37 break points, for a dangerously low 29%. Murray has converted 25 of 53 for a far more acceptable 53%. That being said, Murray’s conversion rate is still too low.
The further the Slam goes, break points become more vital because they are harder to get, and even harder to convert.
Nothing short of a 65% conversion rate will be required to advance for the rest of the week.
The packed Rod Laver Arena tonight will be to Kyrgios’ advantage. That’s showing no disrespect to Murray, it would be the opposite reaction if they were meeting at Wimbledon.
So that home crowd advantage will play a major role, as they did in Kyrgios’ massive comeback last round from two sets down against Andreas Seppi, to win in five.
Where Murray will hold the edge is his solid track record of two Slam successes – the 2012 US Open and the historic 2013 Wimbledon – plus five runners up in the 2008 US Open, the 2012 Wimbledon, and the 2010, 2011, and 2013 Australian Opens.
That makes Rod Laver Arena a happy hunting ground for Murray, but it will be Kyrgios’ first appearance at HQ.
Will that faze Kyrgios?
Maybe walking onto the court to a thunderous reception. Or maybe in the warm-up, but when push turns to shove, it will be business as usual.
And that business is non-stop fearless power, hopefully tempered with more delicate touch shots when required.
Whatever happens tonight, it’s great for Australian tennis Nick Kyrgios has surfaced with such fanfare.
He’s achieved so much in such a short time, he can only get better.
That’s an awesome thought, but let him do it in his own time.
punter
Guest
Wow first you accuse me of not supporting Kyrgois, not you accuse me of nationalistic/jingoist trait. Can win can I.
Renegade
Guest
" So Football is leaving a footprint though ?. " You'd have to say yes, it's certainly by-passed Rugby Union in our country. The ARU would fall over themselves to get those numbers. Yes, a green and gold summer with two trophies would be awesome. The international ratings would be massive for both the cricket and football when you look at some of the nations involved (i.e. India and China).
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It's also on the ABC. If the game was on Channel 7, 9 or 10, with lots of promotions continually in the days leading up to it hyping the game up, then you can pretty much guarantee it would have been higher viewing numbers. Many people may not have even realised it was live on ABC. I missed the first 33 minutes of the quarter final as I couldn't get out to a pub to watch it so decided to keep off social media and turn over to the ABC at 10pm to watch their replay only to find they had it on live. I was very grateful it was in Brisbane and so starting an hour later or I would have been turning on for the last few minutes! So I knew the semi was live and when it started, after that, but that's how little promotion there has been, just nothing! I'd been hanging out for the Asian Cup and yet almost missed the Socceroos first game because there'd been so little promotion it had slipped my mind when it was until I saw a friend's post on Facebook! Winning the AFC Asian Cup is actually a really big thing, and should be treated as such. Maybe one day Australia will have a team with a chance of winning the World Cup, but so few nations have actually pulled that off, that it's always going to be a real long-shot to have a chance to win that. But we should be aiming to regularly compete for and win our local championships, the Asian Cup! It's one of the big bonuses of moving to the AFC from Oceania. And I'm sure over the coming years people will start to respect it more and it will have a bigger place in the sporting spectrum in Australia. Doesn't help that it comes up in the most packed time in the Australian sporting calendar!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It's not bad though considering it's hidden away on the ABC with no great promotion!
Bondy
Guest
Renegade So Football is leaving a footprint though ?. Where it didn't exist as a sport 10 years ago . So its not like synchronised swimming as some would've hoped ? . I look forward to Cricket WC should be great, hopefully silverware in both Football and Cricket for Australia . . Just out of interest what would the International ratings be for both the Cricket and Football for the Finals? ...
Ash
Guest
Yep less than all the meaningless Australian ODI's so far. They got 2.25m, 1.75m & 1.5m. As for the BBL, last year's final got over 1.4m. I would expect a similar result this year too.
Renegade
Guest
To be honest, No.... they are pretty decent numbers. I think the competion doesn't hold much significance in the eyes of the Australian sporting public.... that said, with the final being played against a decent and competitive outfit and there being silverware on the line you would think there will be a large audience on Sat night although the Tennis finals will be on as well as the NRL nines during the day - no cricket will be a plus. To put it in perspective, the percieved large numbers for the Socceroos Qtr Final and Semi are what the NRL and AFL get weekly for regular season friday night club games. The cricket numbers are quite amazing however we know that it is the national sport.... some of the upcoming World Cup games are going to have massive audiences i reckon.
Bondy
Guest
Sports Fan @ Renegade Who'd have thought close to 1.5 million would watch a game of football in the Asian Cup . Did you really think they'd get those numbers ? ...
Renegade
Guest
Yeah, mind you it was pretty hard to be wrong on this one.... not sure why some people thought that Aussies would all of a sudden start watching the soccer. Final FTA figures were 2.5 million for the Tennis.... and just over 1 million for the soccer although a further 362k watched on foxtel taking the total to 1.39m - which is also less than the meaningless ODI cricket match played a couple days earlier. Interested to see what the Big Bash League match pulls tonight.
Renegade
Guest
1.2 million more people watched the Tennis... it wasn't even a debate to begin with.
Sports Fan
Guest
Regionals now been released. Total viewing figures: Tennis: 2.5 Million (Channel 7) Soccer 1.397 Million (ABC + ABC2 + Foxtel)
Sports Fan
Guest
Tennis won the ratings easily.
Sports Fan
Guest
Massive Win for Tennis: Before Regionals added: Tennis (Kyrgios V Murray, Channel 7): 1.78 Million Socceroos: 730 K Metro (ABC 1) + 90K Brisbane (ABC 2) + Foxtel: 362K = 1.182m Regionals will be added to Tennis and ABC1/2 soon, Tennis likely to win by over 1 million viewers (Foxtel already has regionals included)
BigAl
Guest
Not at all ! However I would admit to having a soft spot for Iraq if they were a chance (what decent human being wouldn't ?) I guess I just lack that nationalistic/jingoistic character trait that you have and love... - Oi Oi Oi !!!!
Ash
Guest
You were spot on Renegade. Nick Kyrgios won 1.78m to 750k. That's massive !
Kaks
Roar Guru
Its their way of justifying why people dont like them. Quite sad in my opinion
Eden
Guest
I found both contests boring. Socceroos too good. Kyrgios easily dismantled by Murray. Biggest stat was Murray's serve hitting more aces. Nick was guessing way too often and gifting points to Murray. Reminded me of when federer plays a big server he would often out serve them. A lesson for nick. Let's hope he stays grounded and learns to win a match without the crowd.
punter
Guest
BTW BigAl, get off your high horse. I bet you were cheering for the UAE, so that soccer doesn't get the limelight just like Eddie Mcquire who thought this competition would be a lemon.
punter
Guest
No BigAl, I love nothing better then watching sport seeing Australians perform on the world stage. The only local sport I watch is the A-League, others isTennis, golf, tour de France, Rugby Int'l, Swimming world championships. I love it all, to me nothing better to be representing your country against the world's best. What about you BigAL?
punter
Guest
Where do I jump all over the tennis I just jumped all over your comment.