19 Jan 2022 | 08:46 | Tennis
Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios both won the opening match easily, thereby creating a remarkable match in the second round.
On the afternoon of January 18, the host player Nick Kyrgios had a 6-4, 6-4 and 6-3 victory over Liam Broady, when he received a large cheer from the audience on the John Cain Arena.
Kyrgios quelled any worries about his fitness, after withdrawing from the Sydney Tennis Classic last week due to Covid-19 infection. However, the Australian tennis player will face a difficult challenge in the second round, which is Daniil Medvedev, the reigning runner-up of the tournament.
When asked about Medvedev, Kyrgios said: “It’s going to be a tough one. He’s a great player. I know he’s going to do some special things in this sport and win a Grand Slam.”
Medvedev faces the challenge in the second round. Photo: Retuers.
In the previous match, Medvedev overcame Henri Laaksonen of Switzerland with the scores 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 after 1 hour 54 minutes. The second seed lost the break in the opening game, but then dominated the game. He won 6 games in a row in the first set, then did not face any break-points in the remaining 2 sets.
Medvedev commented on the second-round opponent: “Kyrgios has always been different. Like many people, I have some likes and dislikes about him. I won’t say exactly what, but he always attracts people to follow. watch him every time he plays, even if they hate him.”
Medvedev has lost both of his previous encounters with Kyrgios, in the same 2019 at the Washington Open final and the first round of the Rome Masters. However, in the next match, the Russian tennis player is more appreciated, as he is still maintaining a high performance since winning the US Open 2021.
After Novak Djokovic was unable to attend, Medvedev was the highest seed in men’s singles and the leading candidate at the Australian Open 2022.
“I know what I have to do before the game, after the game, the day before the game to feel my best. That’s what I’m trying to replicate. It gives me more confidence, because now I know I can. I know that if I play the best tennis, it’s hard for anyone to beat me. I know that I have the ability to play seven great games in a row here, beating the best players in the world. world,” Medvedev said.
Kyrgios hopes the match against Medvedev will take place on the center field of Rod Laver Arena, to receive a large cheer from the audience.
