Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios are into the men’s doubles semi-final. (Photo: Australian Open)
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis bounce into semi-final
It is impossible to put into words just how incredible the atmosphere was on Kia Arena from 3:30pm on Tuesday.
The noise, chaos and boisterous energy from the Melbourne Park crowd was infectious. The atmosphere could’ve been likened to that of a home Davis Cup tie combined with a UEFA Champions League Final.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were the main attraction, once again, as they looked to reach their first-ever career Grand Slam semi-final.
Drama was at the forefront early, when Kyrgios inadvertently hit a young child in the crowd with a wayward shot. As a means of apology, the Australian ran to his bag and gifted the kid one of his racquets.
With the score poised at five-all, the ‘Special K’ duo broke the serve of Tim Puetz, before a backhand volley off the racquet of Kyrgios won the set.
The crowd erupted.
Puetz and his Kiwi partner, Michael Venus, took a 2-0 lead early in the second set.
The crowd were teetering on the edge, often heard chanting as the Kiwi and German were serving.
But the duo were able to block out the noise, winning the set 6-3. Kyrgios revved the crowd up on numerous occasions throughout the set, and the drama continued as Venus gave the Aussie crowd a rev up of his own.
Drama would ensue in the third set, with the umpire giving Puetz a time violation, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The 26-year-old and 25-year-old Australian pair broke to love to take a 3-1 lead and there was no looking back from there, as they won 7-5 3-6 6-3.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have made a Grand Slam semi-final.
And they want to win the title.
Elsewhere, fifth-seeds John Peers and Filip Polasek were knocked out by third-seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, 7-6(5) 6-4. Granollers and Zeballos will face Kyrgios and Kokkinakis for a place in the final.
Ash Barty’s dominating Australian Open goes on
World No. 1 Ash Barty flew out of the blocks in her clash against 21st-seed Jessica Pegula on Tuesday night.
The Australian broke the American’s serve in just the first game of the match, before jumping to a 2-0 lead.
Pegula struggled with first serves throughout the first set, giving Barty the opportunity to exploit her second serves.
The world No. 21 was no match for the Aussie early, as Barty broke serve again to take a 5-2 lead. Barty took the first set in just 35 minutes, hitting five aces along the way.
A relentless Barty again broke Pegula in the first game of the second set, winning it on her fourth break point.
The Wimbledon champion never clicked out of second gear throughout the match, sending an ominous warning to her competitors in a 6-2 6-0 romp.
Barty will face in-form USA star Madison Keys in the semi-final on Thursday.
Alcott one win away from eighth-straight Open
World No. 1 Dylan Alcott was at his crushing best in the penultimate match of his glittering tennis career.
Playing against Brit Andy Lapthorne, Alcott hit a staggering 27 winners to take a huge win, 6-3 6-0 in just 69 minutes.
Alcott will face Dutch second seed Sam Schroder in the final. Schroder was also at his devastating best, annihilating Heath Davidson 6-1 6-2 in under an hour.
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Fairytale run continues in the mixed
Wildcard pairing Jason Kubler and Jaimee Fourlis will last at least one more match, with the youngsters reaching the semi-final of the mixed doubles.
The wildcard Australian’s defeated veteran doubles players Sania Mirza and Rajeev Ram, 6-4 7-6(5).
John Peers backed up for his second match of the day, partnering with Shuai Zhang against eighth seeds Ena Shibahara and Ben McLachlan from Japan. The second-seeded Aussie and Chinese pair destroyed their opponents, winning 6-4 6-4 in just 69 minutes.
Aussies in Action on Day 10
3:00pm: Wesley Koolhof/Neal Skupski [10] vs Max Purcell/Matthew Ebden Kia Arena
4:00pm: John Peers/Shuai Zhang [2] vs TBD Margaret Court Arena
10:30pm: Lucie Hradecka/Gonazalo Escobar vs Jamiee Fourlis/Jason Kubler [WC] Rod Laver Arena
Times are subject to change at the discretion of the Australian Open.
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