Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev – Second Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev on and what time does it start? Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev will take place on Thursday 20th January, 2022 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where is Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev taking place? Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev being played on? Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev
What channel is Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev on in the UK? Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Nick Kyrgios vs Daniil Medvedev live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
NICK KYRGIOS
Former world number 13 Nick Kyrgios played out a vastly entertaining, almost exhibition win over British qualifier Liam Broady to reach the second round of the Australian Open. The 26-year-old added more trick-shots to his repertoire with a tweener underarm serve that we will almost certainly see again despite its failure as he whipped up an already frenzied atmosphere on his favourite court. Kyrgios claimed the most recent of his five career ATP titles in a straight-sets defeat of Daniil Medvedev at the Washington Open back in 2019.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
World number two Daniil Medvedev came through his opening Australian Open match comfortably with a straight-sets victory over Henri Laaksonen. The 25-year-old was perhaps joint-favourite with Novak Djokovic coming into Melbourne after winning his first Grand Slam at the US Open last season at the Serb’s expense but Djokovic’s absence makes him a solid choice. The Russian finished runner-up to Djokovic here last season and also to Rafael Nadal at the US Open back in 2019.
THE PREDICTION
This is simply must watch sporting entertainment. The Melbourne crowd will do their utmost to sledge US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and egg-on Nick Kyrgios’ exuberance but the Russian is essentially crowd-proof these days after years of playing the villain half of the time, whilst the Aussie will probably lock-in more than he would like to let on. In my opinion this match is Daniil Medvedev’s toughest test until a potential semi-final clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas with the atmosphere and occasion almost a bigger foe than Nick Kyrgios in a good mood.
Kyrgios twice beat Daniil Medvedev in 2019, the year in which the Russian really evolved into the world-beater he is today, in three sets at the Italian Open and in the Washington Open final on hard. There is no question that 2022’s Medvedev is the favourite for this clash and it would actually be a surprise to see Kyrgios take a set off him here despite his record but the Aussie is a unique, anomalous player capable of anything at all. Both men often play tennis as if they have a joystick in their hand but Medvedev’s Grand Slam hat should stay on his head long enough to win through outright here. You can add at least one tiebreak in the match for good measure but it would be a risk. Expect hands cupping ears from both and a lot of mutual appreciation here between two mavericks of the modern game.
