Australian Nick Kyrgios will look to put a poor clay court season and hip injury behind him when he faces a tricky start to the French Open against German world no.43 Philipp Kohlschreiber. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7pm.
Kyrgios had a stellar U.S. hard court season as he challenged some of the world’s best players, making three semi-finals and a quarter. He beat Novak Djokovic twice and took an in-form Roger Federer to three sets over three hours.
It looked like a different Kyrgios to the one that bombed out of the Australian Open, but followed a successful start to the 2017 Davis Cup campaign, where he led Australia to victory over both the Czech Republic and USA.
Since then though, it has been anything but smooth sailing for the Australian. Between recovery, family matters and a hip injury, he comes into the French Open grossly underprepared, having played only four clay court singles matches.
His doubles form has been strong enough, and while he looked switched on in Madrid before running into the Rafael Nadal freight train, his shock loss to Nicolas Kicker in Lyon raised some eyebrows.
It looked more like the Kyrgios who sensationally dropped a two-set lead to Andreas Seppi at Melbourne Park in January, and it’s something he has to avoid to make any sort of run in Paris.
For Kohlschreiber, it’s been a steady but not spectacular 2017. He still sits outside the seedings for grand slams, but not by much with a rank of 43. While the German has had some solid runs through tournaments, he has only made two finals and generally struggled against anyone similar to his ranking.
While it’s been a reasonably consistent style, errors have marred the year and he has been found out trying to keep points shorter on clay. Since a run to the final against Borna Coric in Marrakech, he has won just one of four matches and struggled to match it with players he should be comfortably beating.
In particular, a straight sets loss to Hyeon Chung illustrates his form is well below a potential peak, and despite clay not being his preferred surface, he is going to need to produce something near a perfect game to beat a switched on Kyrgios.
Unfortunately, that’s the question that must be asked before every single one of Kyrgios’ matches. Will he be switched on and consistent across five sets?
Prediction
If the hip holds up and Kyrgios plays anywhere near his potential, he should pick up an easy first round win on his least favourite surface. In fact, he should do it in straight sets, watch out for an upset if he doesn’t though.
Kyrgios in straight sets.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for our live coverage of Nick Kyrgios and Philipp Kohlschreiber as the Aussie advanced to the second round at the French Open. He will be back on court Thursday night. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. It's straight onto the next one now. Ashleigh Barty is playing Madison Keys and you can join me here. I'll also be live tomorrow night from 8pm (AEST) with our live coverage of State of Origin Game 1. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH NICK KYRGIOS The Aussie is through to the second round. Another big serve, dominant point and Kohlschreiber puts a forehand long trying to go back up the line and create something. Not a heap in the match, but he was never getting over Kyrgios who just powered his way to victory in a little under two hours. He will now meet either Malek Jaziri or Kevin Anderson in the second round. Philipp Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 Nick Kyrgios 6 7 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another serve down the middle of the court and that'll bring up two match points as the German returns long on a reaching backhand. Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and Kohlschreiber's forehand goes long. Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Unreturnable. Almost an ace, but Kohlschreiber got the edge of the racquet to it. Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios really wants to end this here, given his health. Getting off the court is imperative. Starts with a forehand into the net. Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault this time before Kyrgios returns a backhand. Short rally before Kohlschreiber smokes the short angled backhand. Kyrgios now to serve for the match. Kohlschreiber 3 6 3 - Kyrgios 6 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 40 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Kohlschreiber before Kyrgios returns the second with a backhand, then puts a shot into the net. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Kohlschreiber. Kyrgios runs around the second, trying to blast a forehand up the line, but it's long. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kohlschreiber now serving to save the match. He starts with a fault, then a body serve. Kyrgios returns from deep in the court and Kohlschreiber puts a forehand long. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 0 Kyrgios 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios consolidates the break and he is one game away from victory. Ran Kohlschreiber from side to side that time. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - Kyrgios 6 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great depth on the return of serve from Kohlschreiber and Kyrgios can't return from his feet. Got cramped for room there. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 30 Kyrgios 6 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Kyrgios serves wide. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios with a double fault now. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 15 Kyrgios 6 7 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios wins the first point on his sevre, then follows up with a serve down the middle that's returned long. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 0 Kyrgios 6 7 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios breaks in the third! Fault from Kohlschreiber on break point and Kyrgios attacks the second with a backhand down the line. The German has to defend well, but then lobs a forehand and Kyrgios powers home the forehand winner. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - Kyrgios 6 7 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault from Kohlschreiber this time and that's an important moment in the match. Break point. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 30 Kyrgios 6 7 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, good return and Kohlschreiber hits an off-balance forehand long. Kohlschreiber 3 6 2 - 30 Kyrgios 6 7 3 - 30