Novak Djokovic vs. Nick Kyrgios exhibition match tickets vanish in 58 minutes!
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 2721
The fans in Melbourne will have a chance to watch a cracking duel ahead of the Australian Open! Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will embrace an exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena on Friday 13. The tickets went online on Tuesday morning for $20 and were gone in 58 minutes!
Thus, Djokovic and Kyrgios will compete in front of the packed crowd, making a good show out of it. Novak and Nick were far from friends in the past, with the Aussie using every opportunity to attack the Serb. Their relationship improved last year when Nick defended Novak during his ten-day Australian saga.
Kyrgios had the upper hand over Djokovic in their first matches on the Tour, and they met again in the last year's Wimbledon final. Nick played well to reach his first Major semi-final, receiving a walkover from Rafael Nadal and setting the title clash against Djokovic.
The Serb needed three hours and one minute to deliver a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 triumph and lift his seventh Wimbledon crown. Novak saved five out of six break points and broke Nick for the first time in a career in the second set to start his comeback.
Nick made a perfect start in his first Major final and grabbed the opener 6-4 in swift 31 minutes. He broke Novak at 2-2 after the Serb's double fault and held after deuce in game ten with an ace down the T line for 6-4. Novak pushed hard on the return at 2-1 in the second set and created three break points with a backhand crosscourt winner.
He seized the first after a lucky net cord winner for a massive 3-1 lead.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic will compete in Melbourne on Friday.
Djokovic served for the set at 5-3 and found himself 40-0 behind. Novak stayed calm, denied four break points and fired a service winner on a set point to lock the result at 1-1 after 70 minutes.
With a boost on his side, Djokovic controlled the pace in set number three, losing six points behind the initial shot and securing a late break. The Aussie received a warning for swearing after being interrupted by someone from the crowd, but he still held and stayed in touch.
Djokovic created a break chance after Kyrgios' double fault at 4-4, and Nick netted a backhand to fall behind. Novak held at 30 in game ten to secure the set and move closer to the finish line. Both players served well in the fourth set's opening ten games.
Kyrgios closed the 11th game with an ace, and Djokovic served to stay in the set for the second time. He produced another fine hold to lock the result at 6-6 and introduce a tie break. Novak opened a 2-0 lead with a volley winner and grabbed two more mini-breaks for 4-1.
The Serb claimed an extended rally to earn five match points. The Aussie saved the first with a forehand winner at the net and fired his 30th ace for 3-6. Novak seized the third match point after the rival's backhand error to start a massive celebration of his 21st Major crown. Djokovic returns to Australia after skipping it last year, eager to chase the tenth trophy at Melbourne Park.
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