Tennis fans across the world were in for a treat this week when Aussie star Nick Kyrgios battled Daniil Medvedev. The two players met in the second round of the Australian Open. Even though Daniil Medvedev won the match 7(7)-6(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, it wasn’t as easy as the scorecard shows. Medvedev had to face Kyrgios’ near-indomitable serves, and he matched them with his own.
Moreover, the entire Rod Laver Arena seemed against him. In fact, the crowd erupted for every single point that Kyrgios took off the Russian World No. 2.
Serena Williams’ coach loved the energy during Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios’ match
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The entire tennis community knows that Nick Kyrgios is synonymous with showmanship in the sport. In fact, he is one of the most polarizing figures on the tour, with many against his behavior, and just as many in favor.
French coach Patrick Mouratoglou, famed for coaching Serena Williams and Stefanos Tsitsipas, took to Twitter to appreciate the overall energy of the Australian Open round 2 match. He retweeted a clip from the third set, where both Daniil Medvedev and Kyrgios were tied at three games each. However, Kyrgios was two sets down.
This is everything that tennis needs.#AusOpen @NickKyrgios pic.twitter.com/7oEHTzWLui
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 22, 2022
The rally between the two involved both players forcing the other to dash across the court repeatedly. Towards the end, Medvedev played a drop shot to offset Kyrgios’ rhythm, who was at the baseline.
Nevertheless, the Aussie star reached the ball right in the nick of time. Daniil Medvedev was still ready for it, though, as he hit a powerful backhand right across the court. Despite the point looking done and dusted in the top seed’s favor, Kyrgios managed to hit the ball while running close to the net, right at the baseline behind Medvedev.
Consequently, the arena erupted in deafening cheers as Kyrgios sprinted across his entire half of the court, soaking in the encouragement and the energy. Mouratoglou expressed that “this is everything that tennis needs,” speaking about the energy that Kyrgios brings to each match, and how the crowds are just as integral a part of the sport as the players themselves.
Medvedev’s third round was a walk in the park
After his much-hyped second-round tussle with the home star Kyrgios, Daniil Medvedev met Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round, in the Margaret Court Arena.
The US Open champion made short work of his Dutch opponent, finishing the match in straight sets. The final score read 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the Russian’s favor. Subsequently, he will now meet rising American star, Maxime Cressy, in the fourth round on the 24th of January.
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Australian Open: Second seed Daniil Medvedev wins in straight sets to reach fourth round https://t.co/wcvjxsymgp
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 22, 2022
Cressy is surely a name to watch out for, as he was just the finalist facing Rafael Nadal at the ATP 250 event in the Melbourne Summer Set. That being said, Medvedev surely seems determined to win his second Grand Slam and add to his tally of majors.
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Whatever the case may be, the fourth round is surely going to be interesting, to say the very least.
WATCH THIS STORY: Most Dramatic Hard Court Moments Involving Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Others in 2021