| Match: Not Started |
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| N. Kyrgios (AUS) |
| M. Raonic (CAN) [16] |
Nick Kyrgios and Milos Raonic will face off in a battle of two of the biggest serves on the ATP tour in the first round at the Australian Open. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 7:30pm (AEDT).
The Australian Kyrgios has been in and out of the press again to start the Aussie summer, but the bottom line is that his tennis hasn’t yet been good enough to suggest he is capable of matching his run to the fourth round here last year.
Even so, this is a battle of the big-servers, and if there’s one part of game which Kyrgios can get firing in a hurry, it’s the serve.
He has potentially the smoothest service motion in the men’s game today, and he is a very hard man to break. Raonic is a similar type of player though, and so it’s easy to see that, barring some off times and a lack of concentration, we could go tiebreak for tiebreak in this match.
Kyrgios began his season in Brisbane and after being bundled out in the second round of the tournament, finds himself outside the top 50 in the world now.
The Australian has had a tough 12 months, and his lead-up form doesn’t make anyone confident, but this is the sort of match that could suit him, against a big-name player on a big court.
Raonic, on the other hand, played in Brisbane as well and went to the quarter-finals.
The world No.16 came away with a pair of impressive wins in the first two rounds, including a straight-set beatdown of Alijaz Bedene, before he was beaten in the quarter-finals.
While it wasn’t a poor performance, Raonic hasn’t lived up to his usual high standards in the last six months either, so this is a big tournament starting with a huge match for him to try and turn things around.
The pair have played six previous matches, splitting the ledger at three all with Kyrgios winning the last of those at Wimbledon in 2016. They have played just one match on the hard court though, with Kyrgios winning in straight sets in Miami in 2016.
Prediction
Hard to see this match going anywhere other than a number of tiebreakers. For that reason, it’s good luck picking a winner, but I reckon the poise of Raonic will get the job done.
Raonic in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this battle of the big servers in the first round at the Australian Open from around 7:30pm (AEDT) or at the completion of Samantha Stosur and Dayana Yastrmeska and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
In truth, I don't think Kyrios played all that badly. Raonic was just on a different level. Really, only the absolute best returners, guys like Djokovic and Federer would likely have had much of a chance there. And the rare occasions Kyrios could get a good return back Raonic followed up with a freakishly good volley or half volley. Really didn't give him much chance. Don't know if Raonic is going to be able to keep up that level of play, but if he can he's likely to go pretty deep in this tournament.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ha, I've just flicked over. Interesting finish. Cheers mate.
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
At least we uve time to watch the end of the ODI, thanks Nick and Scott
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining us here on The Roar today for our live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Here is the schedule of our live commentaries tomorrow 11am - Zoe Hives vs Caroline Garcia 12:30pm - Ashleigh Barty vs Yafan Wang 12:30pm - Jordan Thompson vs Andreas Seppi 5pm - John Millman vs Roberto Bautista Agut 7pm - Alex De Minaur vs Henri Laaksonen 8:30pm - Rafael Nadal vs Matthew Ebden Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another hit to the world ranking of Kyrgios. Down to at least 67, but probably outside the top 70 by the time the grand slam is done.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Milos Raonic defeats Nick Kyrgios in straight sets Milos Raonic has booked a mouth-watering second-round clash against Stan Wawrinka at the 2019 Australian Open after dispatching Nick Kyrgios in straight sets. While it was the match we expected, in that the serving exhibition on display from both players was the key standout, Raonic found a way to win all the big points throughout the match, only losing a small handful of points on his serve across the entire match. Kyrgios was right in the first set, but started having problems with his knee at the back end of it, with Raonic managing to break at the death. The second went to a tiebreaker, with Kyrgios struggling to get into service games. He did, however, have a mini break in the tiebreaker at one point, before falling away to lose it. The break came a lot earlier in the third set through a mix of poor shots from Kyrgios and outstanding level from Raonic. In the end, Raonic held his serve and was never challenged through the back end of the third. Nick Kyrgios 4 6 4 Milos Raonic 6 7 6
Mark
Guest
Great display of serving from both. Raonic the better player today and converted the points that mattered
Scott Pryde
Expert
I tend to think that with Kokkinakis, it's somewhat hard to prepare when you're always sitting on the sideline. I'm now convinced Kyrgios is never winning a grand slam. Was already there with Tomic. De Minaur the best hope in the next couple of years for mine.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, MILOS RAONIC ACE! Raonic fires it out wide and it's fitting that it finishes that way. An exhibition of tennis in the end from Raonic, with Kyrgios just nowhere near good enough to challenge the 16th seed. Raonic has improved his all-round game and with that serve, there aren't going to be many who are able to knock him over. Nick Kyrgios 4 6 4 Milos Raonic 6 7 6
jamesb
Roar Guru
Kyrgios, Tomic and even Kokkinakis are not mentally tough enough to go deep in a grand slam. When the going gets tough, Kyrgios and Tomic will find excuses. With Kokkinakis, is he really an injury plague player, or his preparation is not up to scratch? Really frustrated with all three.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Enjoyable result.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios plays this point too short, then Raonic hits a heavy approach shot and the attempted pass hits the net. Two match points. Kyrgios... 4 6 4 - 15 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Kyrgios... 4 6 4 - 15 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
What a passing shot! Raonic with a pretty good approach, but Kyrgios sharpens the angle here and hits it across Raonic. Kyrgios... 4 6 4 - 15 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Raonic down the T and that's a good start. Kyrgios... 4 6 4 - 0 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, sliding away and Raonic returns the backhand wide this time. One more chance for Kyrgios to break or he can book a holiday somewhere for the next fortnight. Kyrgios... 4 6 4 - Raonic.... 6 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kyrgios up to the net now and he hits the volley for the point. Kyrgios... 4 6 3 - 40 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the T, short return and then a big inside out forehand for Kyrgios. Kyrgios... 4 6 3 - 30 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Kyrgios... 4 6 3 - 15 Raonic.... 6 7 5 - 0