In a grueling encounter that lasted for over two and a half hours at the Pat Rafter Arena, 21-year-old French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard triumphed over the 29-year-old Australian in a tight contest that went to three tiebreak sets, clinching the victory with scores of 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), and 7-6 (3). Mpetshi Perricard has experienced a remarkable rise this year, moving from outside the top 200 rankings to No. 31.
The match showcased impressive serving skills from Mpetshi Perricard, who fired off a staggering 36 aces compared to Kyrgios’s 15, with many of his serves exceeding 220 kilometers per hour (135 mph). Notably, there were no breaks in service throughout the match, underlining the high-quality performance from both players. Kyrgios expressed his frustration to chair umpire Christian Rask after a missed opportunity to break in the second set, indicating the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies competitive matches.
Following Kyrgios’s match, Novak Djokovic, who had previously defeated Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final, secured a convincing victory over Australian wildcard entry Rinky Hijikata with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3. If Djokovic secures victory in Brisbane on Sunday, it will mark his 100th ATP title, all while preparing for an ambitious goal of claiming a record 25th Grand Slam at the upcoming Australian Open in Melbourne. Djokovic acknowledged Hijikata’s impressive performance during their match, emphasizing the importance of starting the new season with a win.
Kyrgios, who shares a friendly rapport with Djokovic, participated in the first round of doubles earlier, winning alongside his friend. However, he expressed concerns about his wrist following that victory, conveying skepticism about his chances at the Australian Open starting January 12. “It feels like I’d need a miracle for my wrist to withstand the challenges of a Grand Slam,” he admitted, although he expressed joy in participating in the Australian summer of tennis once again.
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time defending champion of the Australian Open, initiated her singles campaign in Brisbane with a dominating performance, defeating Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-4, 6-0. After receiving a bye in the first round, Sabalenka required just 63 minutes to advance to the third round, looking to continue her winning streak at Melbourne Park. “The first match is always a tricky one to gauge your form; I’m pleased with how I handled it,” she remarked. Sabalenka is set to face Kazakhstan’s 15th seed, Yulia Putintseva, who overcame American Kessler McCartney with a score of 6-2, 7-5, in her second-round encounter.
In a separate men’s singles match, Frances Tiafoe emerged victorious against Australian wild-card Adam Walton, winning 7-5 (5), 6-3. The tournament also saw the withdrawal of fifth seed Sebastian Korda due to a lower back injury, which adds to the evolving dynamics of the event.
