World no. 2 and the last year’s Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev faced Nick Kyrgios in the second round. Daniil scored a 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 triumph in two hours and 58 minutes to pass a challenging obstacle and move into the third round.
Nick gave his best to follow the better-ranked rival’s pace in the opening three sets at Rod Laver Arena. He fought well for two and a half hours before Medvedev crumbled him in the fourth to avoid a decider and reach the last 32 for the fourth straight year.
Daniil fired 31 aces and had the upper hand on the first and second serve. The Russian defended seven out of nine break chances and secured four breaks from 11 opportunities to seal the deal and remain on the title course. Medvedev had the advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes and controlled the more extended exchanges to cross the finish line first.
Nick held at 15 in the encounter’s opening game with an ace and earned two break chances in game two for a strong start. Daniil stayed calm, defended those to avoid an early setback and brought his name to the scoreboard after a service winner.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Nick Kyrgios in four sets in Melbourne.
The home star got punished in the third game when his forehand landed long, losing serve and allowing Medvedev to open a 3-1 lead with a service winner. Kyrgios saved a break point in the fifth game with an ace before Medvedev grabbed the next one with an ace for a 4-2 advantage.
Daniil saved three break chances with winners in game eight. Nick stayed competitive and seized the fourth chance with a deep return to lock the result at 4-4 and increase the drama. Kyrgios erased a break point in the ninth game and brought it home with a smash winner for 5-4.
Both players served well in the next three games to introduce a tie break. Medvedev moved 4-1 up with a return winner and claimed it 7-1 with a forehand down the line winner after 62 minutes. Nick saved a break chance at 3-4 in the second set to stay in touch.
However, Daniil stole his serve at 5-4 following Nick’s loose backhand to move two sets to love in front and closer to the finish line after an hour and 45 minutes. Ready to give his best, Kyrgios delivered his second break at 3-3 in the third set with a mighty forehand down the line winner that made Rod Laver Arena erupt in joy.
Nick confirmed the break with a hold at 15 in game eight and placed a drop shot winner at 5-4 to wrap up the set and extend his chances. Kyrgios missed an opportunity to break Medvedev in the fourth set’s first game before leveling the score at 2-2 with a fine hold.
Daniil earned a break at 3-2 with a backhand return winner and held at love with an ace in the next one. Kyrgios smashed his racquet in anger and suffered another break in game eight after a loose forehand to propel Medvedev over the top.
