Australian Open 2022 – Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis advance to Australian Open doubles final
MELBOURNE, Australia – For the first time in 42 years, the Australian Open men’s doubles final will be an all-Australia final featuring famous doubles Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis set to take on Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in Saturday’s decision.
Both Australian pairs performed their semi-final drills in straight sets; Ebden and Purcell take the 2nd seed Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury6-3, 7-6 (9), while Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have better experienced lineups Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos7-6 (4), 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
As expected, a match with Kyrgios will always have crazy moments. On serving in the second set, the 26-year-old fell 15-40 behind and started blowing the referee, claiming that the sensor on the net was too sensitive after a couple of allowed shots were called. out. Kyrgios also begged the crowd not to make a fuss as he began his act of service.
The Granollers and Zeballos broke the next point, which resulted in Kyrgios smashing his racket and berating the umpire again when the change ended.
With Kyrgios going through a crisis, Kokkinakis was able to step up. He beat several winners in the next four games to steer the pair to victory and into their first major final.
The @tkokkinakis & @nickkyrgios The show will have the FINAL episode
They scored 7-6 (4) 6-4 against third-seeded Granollers/Zeballos and will face fellow Australians Matt Ebden/Max Purcell for the title.#AusOpen · # AO2022
: @wwos · @espn · @eurosport · @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/82PgEcuoep– #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2022
“It’s all about the crowd, the atmosphere, getting us going and we’re nervous about the second game,” Kokkinakis said after the game. “It brings out the best in us and I don’t know if we can get this result anywhere else.
“I think we both bring something different, different energy, different charisma on the pitch, but we just enjoy it and have fun.”
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, now simply known as Special Ks, were awarded a wildcard for a split draw and the final knocked out four seeded opponents.
The duo caused quite a stir on day 5 when they beat the top-ranked Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic packing up after a violent encounter that nearly led to a brawl broke out in the locker room.
They then occupy the 15th particle Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar and the sixth seed Tim Puetz and Michael Venus before knocking out the Granollers and Zeballos for a place in their home Slam final.
Meanwhile, Ebden and Purcell were the best in the 4th place team of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the second round before upset Ram and Salisbury.
The women’s singles final and the men’s doubles final will take place Saturday night at Rod Laver Arena. The cheapest adult ticket is currently on sale for AU$325.
