By Ian Chadband
Nick Kyrgios has been handed a heart-pulling first round encounter at the US Open against his big-hitting friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in an all-Australian clash.
And in a Flushing Meadows men’s field without Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal will open his bid for a 23rd grand slam title against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata when the main draw kicks off next week.
The two great friends Kyrgios and Kokkinakis – known as 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 also be seeking a third title of the year together in the men’s doubles, have never faced each other on the main tour. Kyrgios won their two lower-level encounters when they were up-and-coming teens.
No.23 seed Kyrgios, one of the favourites for the title after his run to the Wimbledon final and subsequent victory in Washington, has a minefield draw.
If he beats Kokkinakis, he’ll likely play dangerous French leftie Ugo Humbert in the second round and battle-hardened Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the No.16 seed in the third, before a possible match with Medvedev.
Nick Kyrgios, right, and Thanasi Kokkinakis with the Australian Open doubles trophy they won in January.Credit:AP
But the whole men’s field will feel their chances have been lifted by the absence of Djokovic, who announced on social media less than two hours before the behind-closed-doors draw that he wouldn’t be coming to New York.
US rules do not allow the Serb, who is still unvaccinated against COVID-19, to enter the country to bid for a fourth title, opening up a big opportunity for Nadal to race further ahead in their ‘GOAT’ race.
So Hijikata, the 21-year-old prospect from Sydney who has been handed a wildcard as part of US tennis’ 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.
AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS’ FIRST ROUND DRAW AT THE US OPEN (Number denotes seeding)
Men’s singles
- Nick Kyrgios (23) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Alex de Minaur (18) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
- Jordan Thompson v Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
- John Millman v Emilio Nava (USA)
- James Duckworth v Chris O’Connell
- Jason Kubler v Mikael Ymer (SWE)
- Alexei Popyrin v Chun-hsin Tseng (TWN)
- Rinky Hijikata (wildcard) v Rafael Nadal (2) (ESP)
Women’s singles
- Ajla Tomljanovic v Karolina Muchova (CZE)
- Jaimee Fourlis (wildcard) v Qualifier
- Daria Saville v Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROM)
There is another all-Australian clash first up with James Duckworth meeting fellow Sydneysider Chris O’Connell, while the in-form Jason Kubler will aim to continue his breakthrough year by beating Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.
In the women’s draw, all eyes were on 40-year-old Serena Williams’ first opponent, at what is expected to be the last tournament of her career.
She’ll face Montenegro’s world No.80 Danka Kovinic, with a potential second round encounter against No.2 seed Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia.
Defending champion Emma Raducanu, whose victory as a qualifier last year was dubbed the “Fairytale of New York”, has a tough opener against renowned giant-killer Alize Cornet, who knocked out No.1 seed Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.
Australia’s in-form No.1 Ajla Tomljanovic will face the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova in her first match. If she also gets past likely second round opponent Martina Trevisan, she could possibly meet Williams in the last 32.
Aussie No.2 Daria Saville will take on Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her opening match, while Jaimee Fourlis, also handed a wildcard, will play a qualifier yet to be decided.
