Nick Kyrgios has been handed a heart-pulling first-round encounter at the US Open, drawn against his big-hitting pal Thanasi Kokkinakis in an all-Australian blockbuster
Pair have never played each other before on main tour
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis – the “Special Ks” when they play together as a doubles team – have been pitted against each other in a tough quarter, which also features Russia’s No 1 seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev.The Australian Open-winning pair, who will be also be seeking a third title of the year together in the men’s doubles, have never played against each on the main tour, though Kyrgios did win their two lower-level encounters when they were up-and-coming teens.
If he beats Kokkinakis, he will likely play dangerous French left-hander Ugo Humbert in the second round and Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the No 16 seed in the third, before a possible match-up with Medvedev. So Hijikata, the 21-year-old prospect from Sydney who has been handed a wildcard as part of US tennis’s reciprocal arrangement with their Australian counterparts, has a dream – or potentially nightmarish – encounter with No 2 seed and four-time champion Nadal.Alex de Minaur, the Australian No 1 and No 18 seed, will open against Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
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