Tennis LIVE updates: Kyrgios and Djokovic return to the court, Australia take on Great Britain in must-win tie

Key posts

Play under way in Brisbane

Warm-ups are done, and the players are in position.

Kyrgios to serve first.

Kyrgios and Djokovic walk onto the court

The action is about to begin on Pat Rafter Arena, where Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have just stepped onto the court.

No surprises, the crowd is packed and pumping, but the crowd favourites have a tough task ahead of them. They’re up against No. 1 seeds and doubles specialists Nikola Mektic from Croatia and Michael Venus from New Zealand.

Around the grounds

We’ve had a few Aussies in action already today out in Brisbane, so here’s a quick update on how they’ve gone so far.

Australian Kimberley Birrell had a shock win over world No. 8 Emma Navarro earlier today, defeating the American 7-5, 7-5 on Pat Rafter Arena (more on that win soon from Marc McGowan who is currently at Birrell’s post-match press conference).
Aleksander Vukic took on Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, but the Aussie couldn’t keep up with the world No. 10 who won 6-2, 7-5 (7-5) in 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Australian Kimberly Birrell after her shock win against Emma Navarro.Credit: Getty Images

And, we’ve got some more Australians in action later tonight.

Jordan Thompson plays his second round match against American Alex Michelsen. It’s looking like a 9pm AEDT start for the match.

The scenarios for team Australia

Back to the United Cup for a moment, where Australia need to pull out an impressive performance to progress to the quarter-finals.

Here are a few of the scenarios that could come out of tonight’s tie, which is due to start at 5:30pm AEDT.

If Great Britain defeats Australia regardless of score, Great Britain wins the group.
If Australia defeats Great Britain 3-0, Australia wins the group.
If Australia defeats Great Britain 2-1, but Great Britain wins a match in straight sets OR if they win a match in three sets and one other set, they win the group. Otherwise, Australia wins the group.

Alex de Minaur celebrates during his match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.Credit: Getty Images

Kyrgios’ singles return not so successful

A wounded Nick Kyrgios believes he needs close to a “miracle” for his surgically repaired wrist to hold up in this year’s Australian Open after his singles comeback fell narrowly short in Brisbane yesterday.

Kyrgios stopped short of guaranteeing he would play in Melbourne after ascending French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard outlasted him, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), in the Australian’s first singles match in 18 months because of a serious right wrist setback.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up was pleased with how he played, but revealed he played in significant pain.

“I was really excited for the Aus Open, but after today – obviously I’m [still] super excited. If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in to me,” Kyrgios said.

Read the full match report here.

First round recap

In case you missed it, Djokovic and Kyrgios took to the court two nights ago in the first round doubles clash against German-Austrian duo Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies.

Kyrgios and Djokovic took out that match 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10-8 in front of a packed crowd at Pat Rafter Arena.

There were moments of brilliance from both players, and it marked Kyrgios return to the professional circuit.

You can read all that match here.

Welcome

Good afternoon tennis fans, and a very happy New Year.

Billie Eder here out at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney where team Australia are preparing to take on Great Britain in a must-win tie at the United Cup.

More on that later, but first up we have Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic taking to the court in second round of doubles at the Brisbane International.