Kyrgios out served in comeback singles match

After a triumph in the doubles with Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios took to the court in his singles comeback.

He was up against a big serving opponent, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the world no. 31.

What would follow was a serve fest. Aces everywhere and not a break of serve.

Kyrgios actually was out served, not something that happens often.

“I obviously went into the match understanding how he played,” said Kyrgios of the fast-rising Frenchman, who fired 36 aces in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. “I already knew that he liked to hit two first serves, but props to him, he’s found what works for his game style and he’s committed to that. He’s going to do some damage, for sure. He’s going to have a long career.

“He’s got an easy action on his serve. There were no real dips in speed or anything like that… Props to him. He’s a hell of a player. I have played Karlovic, Isner, Raonic, all the big servers, and he’s got the biggest serve by far. Yeah, that was interesting. And it sucked.”

“I felt like I had been hit by a bus yesterday after doubles, to be honest. I was on the treatment table for an hour and a half before bed,” revealed Kyrgios. “But we know that’s how it’s going to be. Even doubles, you just can’t replicate the match pressure, the nervous energy. You’re returning, like these guys are professionals. The doubles guys yesterday, they were serving massive. It’s still reflex and volleys.

“For my wrist, it’s all new ground now. Today is another building block I think in the journey. I went from literally practicing with people unranked in Canberra to facing the biggest server in the world in a week… I think tomorrow it’s going to be a bit of a rough day for my wrist, to be honest. It’s very sore at the moment. We were expecting that. I’m going to do all the right things, and I’ll be playing doubles, for sure.”

The Frenchman took the match 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(3).