Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Andrew Hendrie:

Nick Kyrgios has been dealt a tough opening round as he begins his US Open title quest on Monday night in New York against good friend and countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Nick Kyrgios vs Thanasi Kokkinakis US Open first round tips, predictions & preview – this will be the first tour-level meeting between the pair…

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Tips

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Match Details

🎾 Competition: US Open first round
📆 Date: Tuesday August 30
⏰ Time: 10.30am AEST
🏟 Stadium: Arthur Ashe

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Head to Head

This will be the first time Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will square off at tour-level. Kyrgios has won both of their Challenger encounters, back in 2014 and 2013.

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Stats

  • Kyrgios has won 20 of his last 23 matches
  • Kyrgios hasn’t lost to a player outside the top 50 all season
  • Kyrgios’ only defeats since June have been vs top 15 players
  • Kokkinakis has lost six of his last eight tour-level matches
  • Kokkinakis only has one win vs a current top 30 player since January
  • Kokkinakis has only won on match in his career at the US Open

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Prediction & Preview

One of the most high-profile first round matches of the US Open pits Nick Kyrgios up against Thanasi Kokkinakis in a difficult opener for both players.

Such is the magnitude of this clash, the US Open has placed a match between two Australians for prime-time in the first night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Kyrgios has been one of the form players on tour throughout 2022, but make no mistake, this isn’t an easy opening round.

The form and consistency of Kyrgios has been one of the stories of the season, with the Aussie winning 20 of his last 23 matches coming into this tournament, including reaching the Wimbledon final, where it took an on-fire Novak Djokovic to edge him in four sets.

Kyrgios bounced back superbly from that disappointment, winning the title in Washington before taking the scalp of World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev on his way to the Montreal quarter-finals.

An early exit from Cincinnati against Taylor Fritz was a blessing in disguise, with Kyrgios now fresh and reading for an all-out assault on the US Open, where he will be the definition of box office in the city that never sleeps.

Kokkinakis meanwhile has had a fairly disappointing season since capturing his maiden ATP title in his hometown of Adelaide at the start of the season.

A run to the fourth round of the Miami Masters from qualifying was promising, but Kokkinakis has only won four tour-level matches since that tournament at the end of March.

It appears as if Kokkinakis has hit a wall after toiling away at Challenger Level throughout 2021 and a busy early half of 2022. The Aussie did push Jannik Sinner all the way in Cincinnati, but he followed that up with a poor performance in going down against another Australian James Duckworth in the opening round of Winston-Salem.

At his best, there’s no doubt Kokkinakis can make life tough for Kyrgios. There’s also the emotional element of this match-up – it won’t be easy for either of them, especially Kyrgios, who has all the pressure on his shoulders.

At the same time, Kyrgios has proven he’s a different player in 2022 and he hasn’t lost to a player outside the top 50 all season, further showcasing his improved consistency.

If Kokkinakis can raise his level, we’re backing him to snatch a set, but it’s hard to look past Kyrgios if he continues to perform like he has all year.

Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis Best Bet

 

🎾 US OPEN DAILY TIPS 🎾
Match Top Tip Odds 
Alcaraz vs Ruud Alcaraz 3-1 $4.00
Odds correct at time of writing

 

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