Tie Break Tens will make their first stop in Melbourne, with an all-star field including Nick Kyrgios, Rafael Nadal and the legendary Lleyton Hewitt set to battle it out in the exciting format. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Tie Break Tens are tennis’ second attempt to answer sports like T20 cricket and Rugby sevens.
Instead of sets and games, it’s a case of first to ten wins. However, as with any breaker in tennis, there must be a two-point advantage before a winner can be declared.
This is the third edition of the tournament, although the first in Australia. It has previously been played in London, Vienna and Madrid with Kyle Edmund, Dominic Theim and Grigor Dimitrov the previous winners, while Simona Halep won the first women’s tournament last year.
None of those players are in the tournament, however, this year’s will follow the same straight knockout as seen in Madrid during 2017.
Eight players will take to the court, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final to be played over roughly a two and a half hour window.
Lleyton Hewitt has once again been willed out of retirement to feature in the tournament, with the Aussie also playing doubles at the Brisbane International (with Jordan Thomspon) and Australian Open (with Sam Groth) this summer.
Hewitt was in good form during his loss in Brisbane, but it’s doubtful he will be able to compete with the best on the ATP tour.
The other Aussie in the field will be Nick Kyrgios. His big serving suits tie-break tennis, and a relaxed tournament like this is right up his alley.
Rafael Nadal will also start his season at the tournament after pulling out of both the Brisbane International and Fast 4 event in Sydney earlier this week as he tries to prove his fitness.
Both Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are top players, but battled injury at the end of 2017. Their rankings have both dropped, but they will bring plenty of star power to Margaret Court Arena and it’ll be interesting to see exactly where their fitness is at.
Tomas Berdych, alongside Hewitt is the most experienced player in the field, with the Czech Republican making many runs deep in grand slams, while Dominic Thiem is one of the best up and coming players in the world of tennis. The field is rounded out by Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months.
And for those thinking the players might take this like an exhibition? $250,000 is on the line in a winner takes all situation – so try telling them it means nothing.
Full draw
| Section | Quarter-final | Semi-final | Final |
| 1 | Novak Djokovic – 6 | Lleyton Hewitt – 11 | Rafael Nadal – 5 |
| Lleyton Hewitt – 10 | |||
| 2 | Lucas Pouille – 1 | Rafael Nadal – 13 | |
| Rafael Nadal – 10 | |||
| 3 | Tomas Berdych – 10 | Tomas Berdych – 11 | Tomas Berdych – 10 |
| Nick Kyrgios – 8 | |||
| 4 | Milos Raonic – 10 | Milos Raonic – 9 | |
| Dominic Thiem – 7 |
Prediction
It’s reasonably difficult to assess the form of Djokovic and Nadal, but the Spaniard should move to the final from the top half. With Kyrgios in good form, he will advance from the bottom half of the tournament and then, in a format that suits him, come away with the win.
Kyrgios to beat Nadal in the final.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Tie Break Tens tournament in Melbourne from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 Summer of Tennis, as Tomas Berdych took out the Tie Break Tens event. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. That was a quality night of tennis. I'll be back tomorrow from 7pm (AEDT) as the Australian Open draw is unveiled. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL RESULTS QF 1: Lleyton Hewitt defeat Novak Djokovic 10-6 QF 2: Rafael Nadal defeat Lucas Pouille 10-1 QF 3: Tomas Berdych defeat Nick Kyrgios 10-8 QF 4: Milos Raonic defeat Dominic Thiem 10-7 SF 1: Rafael Nadal defeat Lleyton Hewitt 13-11 SF 2: Tomas Berdych defeat Milos Raonic 11-9 FINAL: Tomas Berdych defeat Rafael Nadal 10-5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that was a fantastic night of tennis. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
CHAMPIONSHIP TOMAS BERDYCH Good return from Berdych who then plays a nice approach shot and comes to the net, but it won't matter with Nadal putting the forehand wide. That was a clinic in the final from Berdych, who has shocked a few people to win tonight and will leave tonight $250,000 richer. Rafael Nadal - 5 Tomas Berdych - 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal gets the first back with absolute precision. Wide serve, then a forehand crosscourt which catches the sideline. Nadal - 5 Berdych - 9
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berdych on serve. ACE! Out wide and he has five match points! Nadal - 4 Berdych - 9
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Berdych catches the centre service line there. Nadal challenges, but it was in! Nadal - 4 Berdych - 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Nadal goes out wide. Nadal - 4 Berdych - 7
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal in all sorts of trouble here. Wide serve, then a forehand up the line, but it was out. Very untypical of Nadal that shot. Nadal - 3 Berdych - 7
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve and volley! That's is nice from Berdych who consolidates his mini-break and starts to move within sight of the finish line ... and $250,000. Nadal - 3 Berdych - 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berdych serves down the middle, swinging away from Nadal who returns wide on the forehand. Nadal - 3 Berdych - 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Nadal. The second is returned on a backhand before Nadal goes up the line and misses. Nadal - 3 Berdych - 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Nadal. He challenges after Berdych returned into the net. It was in! Nadal - 3 Berdych - 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berdych. Nadal rips the forehand, then gets into the point before putting a runner into the net back across his body. Nadal - 2 Berdych - 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big serve down the middle and Nadal frames a return which falls short of the net. Nadal - 2 Berdych - 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a fault, then a great second serve. He hits some up the middle before Berdych puts a ball into the net. Nadal - 2 Berdych - 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a fault. The second is returned with a huge forehand before Nadal defends, but then can't reach a forehand down the line. Nadal - 1 Berdych - 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
GF - RAFAEL NADAL VS TOMAS BERDYCH Berdych to serve. Not a good start though as he sends a forehand long. Nadal - 1 Berdych - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal won the toss. I think he elected to receive.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The final between Nadal and Berdych is next up.