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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Milos 61 64 64 impressive win over Pouille!
Venus vs Konta.
Konta 3-1
Gulbis a break up in the 3rd set now 3-1.
Konta breaks again 5-2 Konta playing well so far.
Suspected Konta might upset Venus…
Konta won the first set.
Venus has her leg heavily taped.
Did you see Konta last summer on grass, Nny? She was a revelation. From GBR, and has a great game on grass.
Watching Andy v Sascha Z. But maybe seen enough – Andy playing well. Zverev isn’t intimidated though. Has a huge serve and unafraid to use it. He’ll be somebody in a few years, I hope. I like him.
ratcliff,
No, I didn’t seen Konta. I honestly wasn’t aware of her at all. But she has done well to win the first set off Venus.
I am keeping my eye on Zverev. I think he’s got real potential.
ESPN2 started off their night time coverage by talking about the match fixing scandal. I would rather just watch tennis. Both the tennis channel and ESPN tend to jump all over the place with the early round coverage.
Does anyone know when Rafa will be on?
Nando v Rafa is coming on shortly… in 15 minutes…
Rafa jumping around ready to go.
Gulbis saves 2 bp and holds 4-2.
Gulbis now 2 sets to 1 and with the advantage of serving first in 4th set.
Omg, I want EG to win, it’s been so long — although my bracket pick is Chardonnay!
Anderson just isn’t up to snuff. Didn’t think he’d have such a problem with Ram.
Yes, they posted the score in that match and I thought it was shocking.
Where do I need to sell my soul so EG can win?
ratcliff,
I don’t think selling your soul is going to help, because Gulbis choked it away when serving for the match.
lol, Nny…EG breaks my heart…such a waste…
Win or lose, this shows me EG still wants it. He fought hard — harder than I woulda thunk. It’s a good sign.
Donksoy vs Simon:
“the advantage should go to the favorite, who will ultimely force….”
ahaha, you always underrate Simon’s game as usual.
btw, he didn’t serve and play well against Pospisil, just a tactically smart match against a hampered opponent.
????
Simon is the favorite. Not sure how you can argue that.
He’s the favorite but you say he’s only a consistent player, without any weapon whereas he knows when he has to attack and when he has to stay consistent/to defend (generally) therefore you underrate his game.
LOL, is Simon on that match fixing list? He gifted that second set with a break up too.
Simon is in danger of losing
Wow he giving away another round
Are u fking kidding me. Simon is the last guy I need in a 15 team parlay and he is going to lose to a challenger level player
Pablo Cuevas came alive. Nick was starting to get too confident and Pablo took the opportunity to climb back into the match. Not quite soon enough, we’ll see. Nick to try and serve to take give himself a chance to wrap it up in 3. He better hold serve. Going to a tie-break. Stay calm and focus, Nick!
Simon won, Dj. No worries.
Nick Kyrgios. He made it in 3. But that 3rd set was close. Classy tennis in the tie-break. Impressed.
Team Nick!
Ricky, it’s happening! Berdych v Kyrgios
Yessssss…