Nick Kyrgios will be back in Australian Open action on Wednesday when he goes up against Pablo Cuevas. Gilles Simon and Evgeny Donskoy are also aiming for a place in the third round.
(29) Nick Kyrgios vs. Pablo Cuevas
Just two seasons into his Australian Open career, Kyrgios is no stranger to drama at his home Grand Slam. In 2014, he lost to Benoit Paire in a five-set thriller despite taking the first two sets. Last season, Kyrgios made a memorable run to the quarterfinals, winning five-setters at the expense of Federico Delbonis and Andreas Seppi before falling to Andy Murray. The 20-year-old endured no such suspense in his 2016 opener against Pablo Carreno Busta on Monday night. Kyrgios blasted 16 aces without double-faulting en route to a 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 victory over the Spaniard.
Up next for the world No. 30 is a first-ever meeting with Cuevas. The 41st-ranked Uruguayan advanced through round one with a 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Yoshihito Nishioka. Cuevas is now 2-1 on the season, having previously reached the Sydney second round (lost to eventual runner-up Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(2), 6-4). This would be interesting on clay, but a hard court in Australia is the worst possible setting in which Cuevas could face Kyrgios. The 29th seed should not have too much trouble hitting his opponent clean off the court.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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Evgeny Donskoy vs. (14) Gilles Simon
Simon and Donskoy will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Wednesday. Donskoy will gain ranking points regardless of his second-round result because he did not even get through one qualifying match in 2015. But the 91st-ranked Russian boosted his ranking enough to gain direct entry this time around thanks in part to consistent Challenger success in 2015 and a second-round U.S. Open performance as a qualifier. Donskoy opened on Monday with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Inigo Cervantes.
Also requiring four sets in round one, Simon overcame Vasek Pospisil 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The 15th-ranked Frenchman appears to be bouncing back nicely from dropping his Sydney opener to Dimitrov in straight sets. Simon reached the quarterfinals of this tournament in 2009 and made it to the fourth round in 2013. This will be entertaining baseline battle between Donskoy’s whip forehand and Simon’s consistency. The advantage should go to the favorite, who will ultimately force his opponent to hit too many shots and go for too much at inopportune moments.
Pick: Simon in 4
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I remember having discussion here last summer about Nick and his potential. I am the one who believes Nick as soon as able to get his head together will be a candidate for GS! He sure is a GS material! His tennis is just amazing and he gets better every day! I am impressed!
Too bad he runs into Fed as he will definitely lose…Maestro is just to strong mentally and strategic wise for these youngsters…
Why bad? If he wants to win a slam, he has to beat anyone who stands in his way. If not then he’s just not good enough to win one.
Both Rafa and Novak had to beat Fed to get their first slam. Delpo and Cilic too have to beat Fed for their first slam. Stan did beat Fed to win his second slam; only Murray didn’t beat Fed but did beat Novak the no.1 player to win his slams.
I agree, but I don’t think Nick is ready to win a Slam just yet..that’s my point…and I also think if he run into Murray or Rafa (that’s sure thing) he would have stand more chance for the win…Fed is just bad matchup for the young guns…he has no fears and beats them with his wise strategy and net game…Andy and Rafa would just try to outhit them which usually does not pay off…