SA’s Kokkinakis To Face Djokovic, Kyrigos To Face Andy Murray At French Open

Last year, Canberra’s young Nick “Game, Sex, Match” Kyrigos stared in the face of the legendary Rafael Nadal. He was nineteen, he was wildcard underdog at Wimbeldon, and he bloody well school Nadal at his own game.

Earlier this month, Kyrigos took on his very own “childhood hero” Roger Federer at the Madrid Masters – serving Feds up a defeat of 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (14/12).

And soon, Nick Kyrgios may well make his stunning victories into a handy trifecta, after advancing to the French Open’s third round overnight. Old mate NK will be facing off against second seed Andy Murray. Should Kyrgios trounce Murray in the third round, the 20-year-old will dethrone Bernard Tomic as Australia’s highest-ranked tennis star. 

G A M E. O N.

Newest kid on the court, South Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated compatriot Bernard Tomic overnight, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 8-6 – a victory that shot the 19-year-old to the third round, in a match that will pit him against Novak MF Djokovic. Kokkinakis knows as well as you do that it’s not a challenge to take lightly:

“He [Djokovic] barely misses a ball, mentally tough, lightning quick on court. The list goes on. He just does everything so well and so professional. That’s why he’s had such great success. Everything he does is pretty top notch, and that’s why he is world No 1. But I’m not going to change my game plan. I’m going to try and do what I do well and hopefully it works against him. We’ll see.”

And later tonight (around 11:30pm local time) the legendary Samantha Stosur will play second seed Maria Sharapova – an opponent who Stoz has beat twice before (among 16 clashes).