Australian Open champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have made a triumphant return to the court as a doubles pairing at Indian Wells.
Key points:
- Kyrgios and Kokkinakis defeated Marcelo Melo and Ivan Dodig 7-5, 1-6, 10-2
- The Australians will play John Isner and Jack Sock in the next round
- Kyrgios was joined by Jordan Thompson and John Millman in the second round of the singles
Kyrgios and Kokkikankis — who became one of the stories of January’s Australian Open with their doubles win — defeated Brazil’s Marcelo Melo and and Croatian Ivan Dodig 7-5, 1-6, 10-2 in the first round.
The Australians were given a wildcard into the men’s doubles draw in Indian Wells.
They play US wildcard duo John Isner and Jack Sock — both former top-10 singles players — in the second round.
The close friends maintained their laid-back approach in California, entertaining the crowd on court two as they did at Melbourne Park.
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They even provided the TV audience with a humorous moment, when they jokingly argued with each during their courtside interview.
Kokkinakis said they were “definitely going to lose at some point”, only to be interrupted by Kyrgios who replied: “No we’re not.”
“OK, sorry,” Kokkinakis said with a laugh.
The prestigious Indian Wells tournament may prove to be one of the few opportunities tennis spectators will get to see the Australians team up this year.
In the post-match media conference after the Australian Open final, Kyrgios suggested he and Kokkinakis would not feature that much on the doubles circuit.
“I’m not playing the French, and I’m not playing Wimby (Wimbledon) doubles,” Kyrgios said.
“Maybe just US (Open) and then (ATP) Finals.”
Kyrgios was playing a day after winning his first-round singles match against Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-0.
He was joined in the second round by fellow Australians Jordan Thompson and John Millman.
Thompson defeated experienced Belgian David Goffin 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) to book a meeting with 33rd-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.
Millman downed German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 and will next face Australian number one Alex de Minaur, who had a first-round bye.
Kokkinakis arrived in California after helping Australia defeat Hungary in their Davis Cup qualifying tie in Sydney last week.
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