Nick Kyrgios has recorded an incredible second-round victory at Australian Open 2021 last night, saving two match points to defeat France's Ugo Humbert in five sets.
In a battle that lasted three hours and 26 minutes, Kyrgios recorded a stunning 5-7 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) 6-4 victory.
“I’m lost for words. Honestly, that is one of the craziest matches I’ve ever played,” Kyrgios said.
Facing an exciting shot maker with a potent serve, Kyrgios got a glimpse of what his opponents often experience.
Humbert was fearless, firing 15 winners and winning 86 per cent of points on his first serve in the opening set. The 22-year-old faced only a single break point, which he calmly saved with a forehand winner.
Kyrgios was not putting a foot wrong, yet couldn’t find a way into the match.
“He was chopping me up,” Kyrgios admitted. “I was trying to figure out how to get into his service games.”
The Australian got his chance early in the second set, breaking in the third game. He held this advantage to level the match at one set apiece, thrilling a vocal crowd.
Humbert was unrattled. The world No.34 broke in the eighth game and served out the third set against an increasingly frustrated Kyrgios.
When the Frenchman broke again in the opening game of the fourth set, it looked like Kyrgios’ Australian Open chances were in major trouble.
But with the crowd willing him to keep fighting, Kyrgios lifted. He earned three break points in the eighth game, all of which Humbert saved with huge serves.
In the 10th game, the Frenchman held two match points. Kyrgios saved both and the momentum dramatically changed.
As the crowd got louder, Kyrgios relaxed and produced some unbelievable tennis. He dominated a fourth set tiebreak, firing three winners and an ace to level the match from the brink of defeat.
Kyrgios, with the momentum firmly in his favour, edged ahead 3-1 in the deciding set and the once-unflappable Humbert finally appeared rattled.
The 25-year-old Australian admitted memories of past five-set wins at John Cain Arena, his favourite court, fuelled him in the final stages.
“The only thing I really had on him today was experience,” Kyrgios said. “I have been in so many big matches, and on that court in particular, two sets to love down, winning. I’ve just been through so much on the court, I just felt like I was an old savvy veteran who had experience over him.
“I was just trying to draw from experience, trying to make him play as much as I could, and then I somehow got out of jail today. Honestly, it’s surreal.”
Kyrgios hit 14 winners to Humbert’s eight in the fifth set to reaffirm his reputation as a big-stage performer.
The result improves Kyrgios’ career record in five-set matches to 8-2, with four of those wins occurring at the Australian Open.
Australian wildcard Alex Bolt also hoped to eliminate a seeded opponent in a late-night match at Melbourne Park – but Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov proved too much to handle.
The No.18 seed recorded a 7-6(1) 6-1 6-2 victory at Margaret Court Arena. Unforced errors hurt Bolt, committing 45 to Dimitrov’s 18.
Today, the big question will be Ash or Dash as the two Aussies face off.
Three weeks ago, Ash Barty and Daria Gavrilova were among a cohort of Australian players practising at the Xavier College tennis courts in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.
Such is Gavrilova’s respect for the world No.1 and her Billie Jean King Cup team-mate, she was hesitant to even ask Barty for a lift after one of their training sessions.
“I was scared,” Gavrilova related after her first-round win on Tuesday. “I was, like, ‘Ash, can you please give me a lift?’ She’s like ‘Oh my God, you’re an idiot. Like, let’s go’.”
Today, though, they become foes and will battle for a place in the Australian Open third round.
“I always enjoy testing myself against other Aussies,” Barty says. “It will be a ripper.”
Gavrilova isn’t scared, this time, about the challenge of facing her in-form compatriot.
“It’s going to be really fun,” she says.
It’s one of many must-see day four matches featuring Australian players today at Melbourne Park.
Find the full schedule of Aussies in action today HERE
