Excitement and nervousness surrounds Melbourne Park on night five of the Australian Open, as fans across the country sweat on the fitness of superstars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
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The doubles pair, who won the doubles title at their home Grand Slam in 2022, have been under multiple injury clouds heading into their first-round class with fellow Australians Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth.
Speaking to Nine pre-match, Kokkinakis laid the duo’s woes bare as they hope to make what could be one final impression together as a pair in a Grand Slam tournament.
“It’s horrendous,” Kokkinakis said in reference to their niggles.
“I’m gonna walk out there and see what we can do. There’s gonna be a lot of people coming out — we’re not gonna be at our best, but we will have fun.
“I’m gonna have to miss some time after (the) Aussie Open, but I told my team that I’ll empty the tank and see what I’ve got.”
Despite doubt surrounding the appearance of the ‘Special K’ duo tonight, Kokkinakis’ appearance on the practice courts earlier on Thursday before interacting with fans suggests the match will at this stage go ahead as planned.
Kyrgios, 29 was knocked out in straight sets of the first round of Men’s singles to Jacob Fearnley, while Kokkinakis, 28 lost last night in a five-set thriller to the United Kingdom’s Jack Draper.
The all-Australian doubles clash is scheduled to start at 6:50pm local time in front of a jam-packed John Cain Arena.
Reigning Men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner will also do battle on Thursday evening, matched up against Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate on Rod Laver Arena.
Daniil Medvedev will take to Margaret Court Arena later in the evening against 19-year-old American Learner Tien.
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN NIGHT 5 ORDER OF PLAY
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Night session from 7pm
No. 1 Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs [WC] Tristan Schoolkate (AUS)
Renata Zarazúa (MEX) vs No. 4 Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Margaret Court Arena
No. 19 Madison Keys (USA) vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROM)
Learner Tien (USA) vs No. 5 Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
Show Court Arena
Not before 6:30pm
[Q] Destanee Aiava (AUS) vs No. 10 Danielle Collins
John Cain Arena
Nick Kyrgios/Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs Aleksandar Vukic/James Duckworth (AUS)
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