The Davis Cup world group playoffs get underway with Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios being declared fit and taking on Slovakia’s world no. 127 Andrej Martin. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11am (AEST).
Australia find themselves in the world group playoffs after going down to the USA earlier in the year, despite playing on grass at home and being favourites.
Slovakia on the other hand, have come from their zone group where they recorded a big win over Hungary, but away from home and not on clay this will be a completely different sort of challenge.
Kyrgios is coming off what can only be described as a disappointing US Open campaign after he struggled with injury and had to retire in the third round after displaying some strong form.
Of course, it is half a surprise he has chosen to play in the Davis Cup at all after his previous spats with Tennis Australia saw him miss the Olympics and the tie against the USA.
Martin, on the other hand at 27 years of age is ranked outside the top 100 in singles action and makes his way into the Slovakian side after their top-ranked player Martin Klizan pulled out of the tie.
While Martin is a very strong play on clay, which is easily his favourite surface he has played a grand total of nine matches on grass since 2005, only winning two of them and coming into an important tie against Kyrgios and Tomic, who love grass that is a stat that is hard to overlook.
Despite that, Martin did manage to get all the way to the third round of the Olympics and on the back of a third round French Open exit got into the top 100 earlier in the year.
His Challenger form since the Olympics has left a lot to be desired here, and the ease he has been broken with means Kyrgios should do so quite easily.
As long as Kyrgios can hold his serve, which might take more effort than he is expecting given Martin is a very strong returner, then the hip is the biggest question about this match, along with the mental attitude of the firey Australian.
The pair have faced off once before, back in 2014 when Martin defeated Kyrgios in straight sets at a challenger event on the clay court in Germany.
Prediction
Kyrgios is the better player, and as long as he makes a good start and doesn’t have a hip injury flare up during the match, he will get the job done.
Kyrgios in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first rubber between Australia and Slovakia from 11am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Josh
Expert
He's got it! Nick Kyrgios wins the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
Josh
Expert
Two match points for Nick. Kyrgios 2 5 40 Martin 0 4 15
Josh
Expert
Martin holds his serve, but will need to break NK in this next game to keep the match alive. Kyrgios 2 5 Martin 0 4
Josh
Expert
Nick holds serve. Martin now serving to stay in the match. Kyrgios 2 5 Martin 0 3
Josh
Expert
Nick gets a hard-fought break. This one will wrap up soon. Kyrgios 2 4 Martin 0 3
Josh
Expert
Goes to deuce that one but Nick holds and it's level in the third set with Martin about to serve. Kyrgios 2 3 Martin 0 3
Josh
Expert
NK breaks back, he needed that one. Kyrgios 2 2 Martin 0 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
Who mentioned five sets?
Josh
Expert
Martin gets a break against NK & his ailing nose. Kyrgios 2 1 Martin 0 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Here we go. This is where everything changes
Josh
Expert
NK taking a medical time out, looks like he might have a blood nose.
Josh
Expert
Martin holds his serve. Kyrgios 2 1 Martin 0 2
Josh
Expert
Nicks wins his service game. Kyrgios 2 1 Martin 0 1
Josh
Expert
It goes to deuce and Martin holds. Kyrgios 2 0 Martin 0 1
Josh
Expert
NK with a chance to break in the first game of the third set. Kyrgios 2 40 Martin 0 30
Josh
Expert
And the set belongs to Kyrgios. He's having a pretty easy time of it here, we'll be done soon. Kyrgios 2 Martin 0
Josh
Expert
Kyrgios gets another break, and now he can serve for the set. Kyrgios 1 5 Martin 0 2
Josh
Expert
Nick wins his service game. Kyrgios 1 4 Martin 0 2
Josh
Expert
Martin holds serve. NK still a break up. Kyrgios 1 3 Martin 0 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Haha ill be there to take over before that happens