Australia's Special K's have taken doubles tennis to a new level - following an outstanding win at Melbourne Park. Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis sent the home crowd crazy, as the pair advanced into their first doubles semi Final
Kiwi Michael Venus and doubles partner Tim Putz of Germany have been eliminated from the Australian Open, losing to Australian pair Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in the quarter-finals.
In front of an home crowd advantage at Melbourne Park, local Greek Australian heros Kyrgios and Kokkinakis reached the semi-finals with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory, putting themselves just one victory away from a final appearance at their home Grand Slam.
There was only a single break of serve in a tight opening set, with Kokkinakis and Kyrgios striking in the 11th game.
The Aussies proved unbreakable in the first set, firing 13 aces and winning 91 per cent of first serve points.
World No.18 Puetz and world No.15 Venus found a way though early in the second set, breaking 26-year-old Kyrgios’ serve to build a 3-0 lead.
As emotions magnified in a thrilling contest, this early advantage was enough for Puetz and Venus to level the match at one-set apiece.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios recovered the momentum in the deciding set, breaking Puetz’s serve to love to take a 3-1 lead.
They saved a break point on Kokkinakis’ serve in the seventh game to move ahead 5-2 and from there, closed out a dramatic victory after two hours and 16 minutes on court.
During the first set, Kyrgios somewhat unnecessarily hits a loose ball into the crowd which mistakenly strikes a young child on his side. Kyrgios waved at the crowd but suddenly the chair umpired made her way into the crowd to ask if the boy was ok.
While this was happening Kyrgios rushed into his bag of tricks and handed the child a fresh Yonex racket. The crowd broke out cheering the lovely gesture from Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis win a dramatic men's doubles quarter-final on the Kia Arena.
After the game were interviewed.
Kyrgios: “I’m not done yet. I want to win this whole f*cking thing.”
Kokkinakis: “walking out that tunnel there’s not feeling like it. Everyone going boonta.” “Drink piss and come here.”
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will meet Argentina's Horacio Zeballos and Spain's Marcel Granollers in the semi-final.
In the post match interview Kyrgios admitted now at 26 he has finally has become professional and ready to win the doubles final.
