Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios delight on doubles debut in Brisbane

BRISBANE – Doubles took centre stage at the Brisbane International on Dec 30 – thanks to former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and the comeback of mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios after an 18-month injury layoff.

The duo teamed up for an unlikely doubles appearance and won their first-round clash 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10-8 over Austria’s Alexander Erler and German Andreas Mies.

The two men rarely play doubles but got together for this tournament, although Djokovic hinted earlier on Dec 29 they may pair up for Grand Slams in 2025.

They won the first set against doubles specialists Erler and Mies with one break of Mies’ serve, but lost a close second set before clinching the win with a match tiebreak.

“What a game I played, huh?” Djokovic joked with courtside fans after the Serb hit a volley that clinched it.

Both players revved up the crowd en route to claiming the first set with a break, as Djokovic hit a backhand winner around the net and then produced a neat lob that left Kyrgios amazed.

Kyrgios and Djokovic also celebrated like schoolboys when the maverick Australian pulled off an audacious shot between his legs midway through the second set.

“Nick said the other day that it should be a pleasure to play with him and it is,” a smiling Djokovic said.

“I’m glad to share the court with him on his comeback. I haven’t played that many doubles matches in my life, so whatever Nick was saying, I was following.”

Kyrgios said he was just pleased to be playing again after his knee surgery and subsequent wrist injury.

“This injury’s been brutal for me, so I was just glad to get back on court,” he said.

Meanwhile, defending men’s singles champion Grigor Dimitrov also eased into the last 16 with a hard-fought win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Dec 30, but Holger Rune crashed to defeat.

Bulgaria’s world No. 10 Dimitrov has a great track record in the city, winning the title twice, as well as making the final in 2013.

His 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory over Germany’s Hanfmann was his 24th in Brisbane, more than any other player. Dimitrov first played Brisbane in 2013, when he finished runner-up to Andy Murray.

“I think I came here 15 years ago and since I’ve had that love affair (with Brisbane), so I want to keep on going, keep on testing myself and delivering as long as I can,” Dimitrov said.

“Hopefully I can continue and go all the way again. I enjoy the weather – it’s hot and humid and I like that.”

Czech Jiri Lehecka caused a major upset with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Norwegian third seed Rune.

“To win and begin the season like that is always a good start,” Lehecka said. “The conditions suit me well here.”

Earlier, eighth-seeded Australian Jordan Thompson came from a set down to overcome former world No. 6 Italian Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Berrettini is now 34th in the world, only eight places behind Thompson and that closeness showed in a match that last two hours and 15 minutes at the Pat Rafter Arena.

Across the Tasman Sea, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win over Israel’s Lina Glushko at the Auckland Classic on her return from a back issue that forced her out of several Asian tournaments and the Billie Jean King Cup towards the end of last season.

The former world No. 1 has struggled for consistency on tour since her return from a maternity break at the beginning of 2024 and is currently ranked 57th.

But Osaka was far too strong for Glushko, who had to endure loud chants from anti-Israel protesters outside the stadium.

“It was good to have to, I guess, scrap a little for the first round,” said the Japanese, now under the wing of Serena Williams’ long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

“I just kept trying to tell myself ‘one point at a time’, and try not to get discouraged.

“Thankfully, it came out in my favour at the end.” AFP, REUTERS