Nick Kyrgios Gets Code Violation in Drama Filled Match as He Beats Karen Khachanov

World Number 26 Nick Kyrgios defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-2, 7-6(7-5), 6-7(6-8), 6-7(7-9), 7-6(10-8) in the third round of Australian Open 2020. Kyrgios is through to his first pre-quarterfinals since Aussie Open 2018, and this time he sets up a fourth-round match-up against one of his heated rivalries Rafael Nadal. 

In the grueling five-set thriller with the Aussie crowd rooting for him, Nick Kyrgios converted his third match point in the final set to reserved his fourth-round spot at his home Slam. En route to his taxing victory, he hurled with the chair umpire for getting a time violation.

A quick first set for Nick Kyrgios despite an MTO

The Aussie tennis player Nick Kyrgios served out the first service game from 30-30. Following that Karen Khachanov made a swift hold at 1-1. With the volatile tennis player showering is aces, Kyrgios held his serve to love with three aces at 2-1.

Kyrgios earned the first break of serve at 4-2 and consolidated for a 5-2 lead. However, amidst his predominance, Kyrgios called for the trainer. Apparently, he was having issues with his left glute or hamstring and availed a medical time out. “He’s hobbling out there,” Jim Courier said.

The elongated treatment did not seem to affect him much as he closed out the set in 34 minutes by breaking Khachanov again at 6-2. 

While it was a quick opening set for Kyrgios, the audience in the Melbourne Arena broke into a dispute.

A tight second set

Despite the treatment and the pain in his leg, Nick Kyrgios was unaffected and maintained his composure. The Canberran continued to play some impressive tennis. At 3-2, with Kyrgios in the lead, Khachanov endeavored to hold his serve for a 3-3 scoreline. 

The Russian managed to produce a hold at 4-4, but the return-winner from Kyrgios dropped jaws in the house.

Khachanov came up with a swift hold to love at 6-6 and progressed to play a tiebreaker in the second set.

Tiebreak

Some cutthroat competitiveness was depicted in the tiebreak. Both Khachanov and Kyrgios played some nervy tennis, however, despite responding to Kyrgios’ fiery serves the Russian couldn’t pull off the set.

A patient play from the Aussie on a 24-shot rally earned him a set point and with maintaining his composure, Nick Kyrgios sealed the set 7-6(5).

Karen Khachanov saved a match point in the third set

The set kicked-off in the regular fashion with both of them clinging on to their serves. However, at 2-2 Khachanov gifted a service game to Kyrgios. The Russian committed two unforced errors and one double fault, and the Aussie had chances to break him to love.

Khachanov changed his gears to make a comeback and saved two of them, but a double fault on the next one gave Kyrgios the break at 3-2. In the midst of the game, Khachanov received a code violation for ball abuse.

After backing up his break at 4-2, Kyrgios dropped his first service game of the match at 4-4 and Khachanov was back on serve. It was toilsome for the Aussie to hold his serve at 6-6 and a phenomenal volley and an ace at deuce drove the set into the tiebreak.

Tiebreak

Khachanov boarded with a mini-break lead at 2-0. However, a scintillating return and firm game on serve from Kyrgios balanced the breaker at 3-3.

What a return!

The Canberra-native was a mini-break down again, but with a smart play on the net, he turned around the battled. Kyrgios held a match point at 6-5 in the breaker but the Russian saved the it and forced a fourth set in Melbourne.

Khachanov saved another match point in the fourth set

Their usual form on tennis continued in the fourth set until 3-3. Khachanov produced a smart winner in Kyrgios’ drop shot and earned two break points. Kyrgios was not on the back foot, as an error from the Russian and an ace from the Aussie erased the break points. Nick Kyrgios led by 4-3 in the fourth set.

Nick Kyrgios was throwing himself during a 19-shot rally at 4-4. He received a time violation warning as he couldn’t serve due to his bleeding hand. He did not want the ball kid to touch his towel because his hand is bleeding and as a consequence, Kyrgios landed up getting a time violation.

Despite the blood, Nick came up with aces for a hold at 5-4 and the crowd in the stadium was bustling to the maximum.  Khachanov was moving well in the game and held his serve at 5-5. Later it was Kyrgios serving for a 6-5 lead.

Kyrgios’ serve on game point

With Khachanov holding his serve, once again the set sailed into the tiebreak.

Tiebreak

A double fault from Kyrgios gave Khachanov a mini-break at 3-2. Following an unforced error from the Russian, Kyrgios retrieved his mini-break back at 3-3.

With Khachanov failing to respond to Kyrgios’ returns, Nick held the mini-break with a lead at 4-3, but Karen balanced it right away at 4-4. The exchange of mini-breaks was again depicted in the next two points. Khachanov earned a set point at 6-5, but Kyrgios erased it with a hefty serve.

With some unbelievable play on the net Nick once again earned a match point, but with next the ball on the net, the tiebreak was brought to 7-7. By taking the next two points, the Russian pushed the match into the deciding set.

Nick Kyrgios converted the third match point after four hours and 30 minutes of play

After three long hours in the match, Nick Kyrgios finally came up with his trademark under-hand serve at 2-1. The ATP men continued with their exhibition of serves in the final set. A phenomenal service game from Khachanov was exhibited as he produced a love-hold for a 4-3 lead.

Entertaining tennis from Kyrgios was portrayed as he delivered some tweeners, while Khachanov held his serve to love at 5-4. Kyrgios emulated the same at 5-5. Until 6-5, the Russian just dropped just three points on his serve. The next love-hold from Kyrgios forced a super tiebreak at Australian Open 2020.

Super tiebreak

Kyrgios held the first mini-break at 1-0. With the crowd playing the match with him the Aussie lad sprinted for a 3-0 lead in the super tiebreak. However, in the following points, Khachanov sealed the next three ones at 3-3, later the Russian led by mini-break at 4-3.

With Khachanov stumbling Kyrgios hit a winner for a break back at 4-4. With a hefty serve and backhand winner, Nick Kyrgios led by 6-5. Later an ace from Karen balanced the match at 6-6 in the super breaker.

Finally, the Australian was victorious on the Melbourne court after four hours and 30 minutes.