Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

4 things to watch out for on Day 5 of Australian Open

January 18, 2018 21:02 IST

Nick Kyrgios

IMAGE: Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

1. Local hope Nick Kyrgios has been elevated to the Rod Laver Arena for his meeting with childhood hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open on Friday, when Melbourne Park is again expected to swelter.

Kyrgios will hope the temperatures have dipped from the forecast peak of 40 degrees Celsius by the time he comes out to face Frenchman Tsonga, losing finalist at Melbourne Park a decade ago.

 

"When I was 12, I went to all his practice sessions," Kyrgios recalled after his second round victory over Viktor Troicki.

"He made the final in 2008. I went to all his practice sessions with a new ball. He signed it every day. I don't know if he remembers."

Tsonga needed five sets to see off another young gun in Denis Shapovalov in round two on Tuesday and Kyrgios thinks the crowd are going to be in for another entertaining contest.

"I've seen him play a lot," he said. "I know what he's going to bring. He knows what I'm going to bring. It's going to be a lot of fun."

2. With world number one Rafael Nadal moved out to Margaret Court Arena for his third round meeting with Damir Dzumhur, 17th seed Kyrgios and Tsonga will share the evening billing with women's number two Caroline Wozniacki on the main showcourt.

3. Wozniacki meets Kiki Bertens after fourth seed Elina Svitolina gets another test of the injury 'issues' she has been dealing with when she meets 15-year-old fellow-Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the full blaze of the afternoon sun.

4. Men's third seed Grigor Dimitrov will be hoping to dispense quickly with Russian Andrey Rublev and get back into the air conditioning after getting caught up in a energy draining five-setter with American MacKenzie McDonald in round two.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.