They’re out of the singles race but Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis announced themselves as genuine Australian Open doubles contenders by stunning world No.1 duo Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in straight sets at a heaving Kia Arena tonight.
The Aussie crowd favourites and great mates won their second round match 7-6, 6-3 with some sublime tennis, chest bumping and all the usual antics – Kyrgios at one stage asking a fan for his beer.
“There’s a bit of a rock and roll feeling to Kia Arena,” commentator David Basheer said on Nine and Stan Sport.
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“It is box office stuff, no doubt about it.
“Pure theatre… they were cast under the spell of Kokkinakis and Kyrgios.
“Could they produce a fairytale?”
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Kyrgios and Kokkinakis romped through the second set against the shell-shocked Croatians after winning a thrilling first set tiebreak.
The childhood chums took the tiebreak 10-8 after a 57 minute set in front of a fizzed up home crowd that featured excited fans knocking back ‘shoeys.’
“Whipping the crowd into a frenzy,” Basheer said.
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Mektic and Pavic won Wimbledon and Olympic gold last year but melted down against the fun loving Aussies.
A serving Pavic appeared to be rattled by the noisy crowd when he complained to the chair umpire on break point in the second set.
“It’s p…ing me off,” Pavic said.
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