Nick Kyrgios marched through the first round of the French Open with relative ease, but it might be easier said than done to do the same in the second when he takes on the big-serving Kevin Anderson. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 9pm (AEST).
If the Australian’s hip holds out, this one has the potential to ebb and flow into a five-setter, with big serving and every shot in the book on display.
After a fantastic run through the U.S. hard court season and hiring a new coach in Sebastian Grosjean, Kyrgios has slowed down through the clay court campaign, with recovery and family emergencies of a higher importance.
Kyrgios more than likely has had more than one eye on Wimbledon, which is, of course, played on his preferred surface of grass. That didn’t stop him from turning the screws on Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round though.
With a mountain of winners and aces, he blasted the German off the court in a comprehensive 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 display. Similar play here, especially on Court 3, which appears to be playing a little quicker would leave him in a very strong position.
Anderson had a stronger build-up to the French Open than Kyrgios, having some solid runs through tournaments in Barcelona, Estoril and Geneva, but still is some way from hitting his best form.
Convincing losses to Gilles Muller, Alexander Zverev and Kei Nishikori prove that, but in the same breath he has been competitive in most of those matches, with the result more often than not coming down to a failure executing on serve, something he won’t be able to afford against Kyrgios.
Clay doesn’t suit the power game of Anderson with the world no.56 once being a seeded player at Wimbledon. In fact, the only seeded French Open player he has beaten throughout the clay court season is Richard Gasquet.
Nonetheless, he faced a danger game in the first round in the shape of Malek Jaziri and came through with flying colours. Like Kyrgios, he won in straight sets, powering down 13 aces and hitting his first serve at almost 70 per cent.
That number may need to be closer to 75 against Kyrgios if he is to hold serve and thwart the aggressive game plan of the Aussie, who attacked the first serve of Kohlschreiber in the first round.
Prediction
It’s hard to split these players, and it will come down to whoever can deliver the more consistent serve. Still, Kyrgios looks to be in form when it matters and if his hip holds out, he should win.
Kyrgios in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this second round match from around 9pm (AEST) or at the completion of David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Lyn
Guest
Good to see Anderson win and shut the spoilt brat up:)
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll wrap up our live coverage of Day 5 at the French Open. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back at 11am (AEST) today for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nick Kyrgios looked like he was going to dominate this match. The first set and early going in the second was sensational from the Australian as he moved up a set and a break on the back of plenty of aces and winners. It wasn't to be though as he imploded. It went from bad to worse for Kyrgios as he was hit with a code violation, then a point penalty at the end of the second set. Anderson took full advantage of the distraction at the other end, his serve cracking to the end of the match as he broke Kyrgios twice in the third and fourth set. Kevin Anderson 5 6 6 6 Nick Kyrgios 7 4 1 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH KEVIN ANDERSON That's fitting really! Big ACE to finish it off down the centre service line and Nick Kyrgios is out in the second round of the French Open. The Australian imploded, but full credit to Anderson who took full advantage with his huge serve and power game. That also ends the Australian men's singles presence at the French Open. In singles, Samantha Stosur now the lone fighter. Kevin Anderson 5 6 6 6 Nick Kyrgios 7 4 1 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, plenty of kick and Kyrgios returns long. MATCH POINT Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 40 Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! That's an absolute rocket out wide as Anderson pulls himself out with the serve once again. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 30 Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Down the T. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 15 Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios gets plenty of depth on a backhand return of serve this time and Anderson puts the shot down the line long. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 0 Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Anderson on serve. He starts with a double fault. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 0 Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios holds serve, but Anderson is about to serve for the match and it would come as a pretty huge shock at this point if he doesn't get it. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - Kyrgios 7 4 1 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault, then a kick serve before Anderson rips the return back up the line on a backhand that had no right to drop in, but does. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 15 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios with a big forehand for the winner that time, but it's surely all too little, too late now. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 0 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, then an inside out forehand before he plays a drop shot for the winner with Anderson well behind the baseline. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 0 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios now serving to keep the match going. Faults on the first, gets a short return on the second and crunches away a forehand. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - 0 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Down the T once more and Anderson is just one game away from the third round of the French Open. Anderson 5 6 6 5 - Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Anderson goes down the T. Anderson 5 6 6 4 - 40 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve and a reasonable return with plenty of depth from Kyrgios. He gets on top of the point, but makes the unforced error on the backhand. Anderson 5 6 6 4 - 30 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault from Anderson. Anderson 5 6 6 4 - 15 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Anderson goes down the T. Anderson 5 6 6 4 - 15 Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Anderson has a double break! It's over. Mark it down. Rule it off. Write Anderson's name on the third round right now. Kyrgios with another fault, then a backhand into the net. Anderson 5 6 6 4 - Kyrgios 7 4 1 1 -