Summary
So, Kyrgios moves on after a relatively straight-forward assignment against Johnson. He’ll be pleased with his service game, for sure, as he heads into a second round meeting with the 23-year-old Frenchman Antoine Hoang, who beat Leonardo Mayer in five sets earlier in the day. That’s all from me for now. Thanks for joining, until next time.
Off goes Steve Johnson, a decent showing from the American. Kyrgios was just too good really. Here’s Kyrgios:
“I wanted to thank you guys for staying out late. I appreciate that. Steve is a hell of a player. He played well. I knew I had to serve well. I knew [the second] was an important set. I’m just happy I got it done in two hours. I can go to a pub and get some food.”
He adds that he’s not a fan of the late nights and hopes to get on court at a more reasonable time in future games. He’s going to go to a cafe and chill tomorrow, on his day off, apparently.
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Game, set and match: Kyrgios wins 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4
Third set: Johnson *3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 4-6 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios books his place in the second round with just two hours on the match clock! Unsurprisingly it’s his serve that helps power him to this final game to wrap up an excellent overall performance from the Australian. A few blips here and there, but nothing too major.
Third set: Johnson *3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 4-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Oh wow, how to describe this shot? Classic Kyrgios – a running, jumping mid-air between-the-legs effort down the line that lands... just out. Still, 10 out of 10 for flair. Johnson holds, but he’s not happy with something. He points to his chest and utters an expletive (for which the TV commentators don’t apologise, interestingly). Anyway, Kyrgios will now serve for the match.
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Third set: Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 3-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Yet more powerful serving from Kyrgios sees the Australian move to within a game of the match. No problems at all this game for him.
Third set: *Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 3-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): As the clock ticks over to 1am, Johnson hangs in there with a decent hold. Still, he’s going to have to break Kyrgios twice more to get out of trouble. That’s a big ask. Stranger things have happened though.
Third set: Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 2-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios turns to his serve once again to deflate Johnson’s sails. The first two points of this game go his way thanks to tremendous serves and despite a brief dip, he moves to within two games of a place in the second round.
Third set: *Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 2-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios falls 30-0 down before a sensational whipped forehand winner finds the line and seems to get him back on track. But Johnson responds with an ace, and he does very well to hold again. Still, Kyrgios holds a break advantage this set though. But Johnson has the wind in his sails after pocketing the last two games.
Third set: Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 1-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios is up out of his chair early and raring to go – he senses victory here. A double fault to kick things off doesn’t do him any favours though, and seems to knock him off his stride. He concedes the next two points to give Johnson three break-back points. The Australian shouts something about sleeping in the direction of his box. “I know you want to go home,” he shouts to them. And they’re not going anyway for the time being, as Johnson secures his first break of the night!
Third set: *Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 0-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): An exchange of drop shots at the net ends in favour of Kyrgios as Johnson loses a sixth consecutive point - 0-30 on the American’s serve. And Kyrgios streaks clear on the first of three break points to open up a commanding lead in this third set. No chuntering at the changeover now – just a banana to eat and some liquids to be taken on board.
Third set: Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 0-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): People are still taking their time finding seats at the beginning of the game as Kyrgios waits to serve. Boos ring out. Kyrgios double faults. He loses the next point too, and he’s frustrated with himself. At 0-30 down though, a fortunate net cord helps him out and soon after a 140mph serve does likewise. Another ace seals the game, and Kyrgios survives that minor wobble.
Third set: *Johnson 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 0-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios apologises to Johnson for a semi-shank that brings up break point for him. The 28th seed then has two changes to smash a winner, twice he passes up that chance, until eventually he does find a winner and the opening breakthrough of the third set is made at the first time of asking.
Kyrgios wins the second set 7-6 (7-1)
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 6-7 Kyrgios: And there it is. Kyrgios just seemed to channel whatever frustration had creeped into his game in the tie-breaker – to devastating effect. He loses just the one point on his way to a two-set lead and, baring an almighty capitulation now, he is set fair for the second round.
Second set tie break: Johnson 0-6 Kyrgios: Sensational shot-making by Kyrgios! He somehow reaches a brilliant drop shot from Johnson to return a dink over the net and bring up many set points!
Second set tie break: Johnson 0-5 Kyrgios: Kyrgios is threatening to run away with this one. He takes a 5-0 lead as he wrongfoots Johnson with a cross-court forehand.
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Second set tie break: Johnson 0-2 Kyrgios: There’s a brief delay before Kyrgios can get things underway as a spectator finds their way in. The umpire twice asks them to take their seat. Kyrgios then aces and Johnson double faults to give the Australian the early advantage.
Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 6-6 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson plays a lovely winner down the line to open this game before Kyrgios’s execution of a drop shot lets him down – into the net. The American is doing well to stay cool here. He holds and we’ll go into a tie-break.
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 5-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): More exceptional serving sees Kyrgios get into a position to hold once more at 40-0. But the loss of a point sees the chuntering continue, forcing the members of his box to attempt to offer encouragement and diffuse the situation. Kyrgios still manages to give Johnson a thumbs up for his shot which forces deuce. And the Australian turns to his serve once again to secure the hold, an ace sealing the game.
Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 5-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): We’re seeing everything from Kyrgios here – sublime tennis but also the usual baggage he comes with. Johnson isn’t allowing himself to get distracted though and the American just gets on with his tennis, holding serve to stay in this second set.
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 4-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Here we go then. Kyrgios is given a court violation for an audible obscenity. Umpire James Keothavong isn’t impressed. As usual, it’s not entirely obvious what has sparked Kyrgios off, but he’s fired up now. Every point he wins this game is wildly celebrated, not least the one off a blockbuster forehand winner to bring up game point. He backs it up with an ace and he still leads.
And it becomes clear at the changeover what fired Kyrgios up – spectators entering the stadium during play. It appears he’s unhappy with how Keothavong is dealing with the issue. Johnson says: “Stop fucking around and let’s play tennis.”
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Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 4-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): This is a crucial hold for Johnson, who saves two break points as the pressure begins to tell a bit on Kyrgios. At several times this game he remonstrates, with himself and his box, and are the cracks are beginning to appear?
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 3-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Another straight-forward service game for Kyrgios – to love – is sealed with an ace. Kyrgios, despite the tight shorts issue (which he’s not complaining about anymore, even if he’s pulling them down to stretch them at the changeover), is looking good this set.
Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 3-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson stays with Kyrgios, holding again to level the ledger.
Kyrgios’s mate, Thanasi Kokkinakis, earlier won through to the second, where he’ll play Rafael Nadal. The wildcard entrant needed almost four hours to get past Ilya Ivashka 6-3 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (7-4) 6-2, a match that left the injury-prone Australian euphoric.
“It was a hell of a feeling. Obviously I feel like I’ve had a lot of my tennis career so far, to this point, taken away. I knew the first two sets, getting those under my belt was going to be big. Luckily I got the second set after I broke a string on set point. What are the odds? I’ve probably been playing for two hours and then on that point it breaks but, you know, that’s tennis. It’s definitely a massive relief.”
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 2-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Wow. The missiles keep launching from Kyrgios’s arm as he races into a 40-0 lead. An aberration follows, which leads to the Australian chuntering to himself and the TV commentators to apologise “for the language”. No matter though, and he seals the game without further ado.
At the changeover Kyrgios appears unhappy with... his shorts. He shouts over at his box, asking whether he should change them.
Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 2-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson holds. But not before Kyrgios gets back into the game at 30-40 with a point that he makes looks easy, following a drop shot and then a neatly-executed volley. It goes to deuce. “Niiiiick!” shouts Kyrgios as he goes way long though, and Johnson seals the game.
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 1-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios hammers down a ninth ace of the night before sealing the game with a ridiculous forehand that he plays stood upright, reaching down low with his racket to meet the ball. That shot can only be described as nonchalant.
Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 1-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson’s turn now to show his quality, with a lovely backhand volley at the net, having earlier out-manoeuvred his opponent. He gets ahead 40-15 but an overcooked forehand gives Kyrgios a sniff – until the Australian ends hopes of a break early this set with an overhit effort of his own. Good response from Johnson.
Second set: Johnson 3-6, 0-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios kicks off the second set in style – with an ace – before another follows to go 40-0 up. His next effort is also unplayable, even if Johnson manages to get some of his racket to it this time, and Kyrgios wraps up the game without any fuss.
Kyrgios wins the first set 6-3
First set: *Johnson 3-6 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios moves closer thanks to a weird shot that doesn’t appear to take a net cord but nevertheless completely fools Johnson, who doesn’t reach the ball. Then Kyrgios, on the first of two break points, fires another winner, his 18th of the night so far, to break again and claim the first set. Impressive stuff so far from the Australian 28th seed.
First set: Johnson 3-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios can sense the first set here. He closes out another service game to move within a game of the first set. He’s got six aces to his name so far tonight, and 16 winners.
First set: *Johnson 3-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Wonderful stuff from the Australian after he pops up a return of serve that Johnson should really put away – only for Kyrgios to whack a backhand with venom right back past him. Two break points for Kyrgios soon follow and although he can’t convert the first, he does on the second with a big reach down to his left to dig out a backhand volleyed winner! And we have our first break of the night.
So @nickKyrgios races through the first set, a set peppered with supreme shot making. pic.twitter.com/dLWOgxxPa4
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 28, 2019
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First set: Johnson 3-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Here goes the Kyrgios serve again. But it’s not a good start as he double faults first up. He gets a challenge wrong soon after and there follows a bit of grumbling. But he eventually shows his resilience as his serve comes back to his rescue, saving two break points before sealing the game. Still on serve in the opening set.
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First set: *Johnson 3-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios is a bit annoyed with himself – understandably so – as a regulation forehand goes into the net and Johnson goes on to claim the lead once again. These first five games have lasted just 12 minutes – no accusations of taking too long over service points tonight!
First set: Johnson 2-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Soft, soft hands on Kyrgios and he delivers an inch-perfect drop shot for the first time tonight. And then again, to go 40-15 up, this time as he moves into the net to dink a forehand delightfully across the court. Early signs of Very Good Nick here, with a nice combination of power and finesse.
First set: *Johnson 2-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios appears to have some rocket fuel in his racket head tonight – a blistering (and when I say blistering I mean blistering) forehand service return again gets the crowd excited, but Johnson recovers and keeps his composure to see out his service game. Already the crowd seem keen on interaction tonight (even the kid behind Kyrgios is having a chat with him at the changeover).
First set: Johnson 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios elicits some whoops from the crowd with a monster ace before he secures the game in an almost dismissive manner – a booming forehand return that Johnson can’t get near to. The crowd love that!
First set: *Johnson 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson exhibits his serving prowess early on, acing on his way to a 40-0 lead. A couple of Kyrgios points later, the Australian can only return into the net and Johnson has the first game of the match in his back pocket.
First set: *Johnson 0-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): OK, warm-ups are done and dusted and we’re about to get underway. Kyrgios, in a white shirt and Fiorentina-purple shorts, will receive first with Johnson, sporting a red cap, red shirt and dark shorts (and a bad teenage moustache) to serve first. Here we go.
So what’s at stake? Well, quite a bit, given results earlier today. Kyrgios, seeded 28, is now one of just three seeds left in this quarter of the draw, along with No 13 Gael Monfils, No 24 Mateo Berrettini.
A quick word on another Australian hope earlier today, John Millman – he was no match for Rafael Nadal, who is seeking a fourth US Open crown. The Spaniard won in less than two hours, 6-3 6-2 6-2. Despite the one-sided scoreboard, Nadal was full of praise for Millman.
“His movement is great. He showed last year what he is able to do when he is playing well and it was a match I came on court with a lot of respect. I think I played a solid match, the first one, very happy with the victory. My serve worked very well tonight. Hitting good backhands, some more mistakes than usual with the forehand but in general I am happy with the way I started.”
It’s just gone 11pm at Flushing Meadows – this one’s going to go deep into the New York night. The players are about to enter the arena, but before they do, there’s time for a quick chat.
Johnson: “I’m going to take care of business on my serve. Just go out there and compete.”
Kyrgios: “I’m very excited to be playing Stevie, he’s a good mate of mine. He’ll have the crowd behind him and I’m just going to go out there and have fun. We’ll put on a show for you guys.”
Good.
OK, we shouldn’t be too far off starting now the previous match on Louis Armstrong has just ended – Aryna Sabalenka, the ninth-seeded woman this year, was made to fight hard for her place in the second round by fellow Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka. It took Sabalenka 2hrs 13mins to see off her good mate, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
And earlier, Naomi Osaka, the world No 1, got over some early nerves (“I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my life,” she said) to get past Russia’s Anna Blinkova.
Preamble
Hello and welcome. Who’s knows what to expect today? Will it be dynamic, mercurial Nick, the man capable of thrilling like no other player on the Tour, or the other, less easy to admire Nick, the boy whose on-court behaviour can bewilder, frustrate and disappoint in equal measures? But that’s part of the draw of Nick Kyrgios, isn’t it? The unknown.
We’ll find out soon enough if he’s brought his A-game and temperament to NYC – or not – when he takes to Louis Armstrong court to face home hope Steve Johnson. The pair are friendly off the court, so perhaps that will have an effect on how this one pans out – certainly Johnson is expecting have have some fun on court.
“Mentally, you know it’s any given day [how Kyrgios performs]. He has the talent to be a top-five guy, in my opinion. But this is a hard sport; it’s hard to put your best foot forward every day and that’s what we all try and do. He’s a super nice guy, I always enjoy my time with him. Off the court, he just loves to talk basketball and we kind of hang out, so it’s going to be a fun one. Hopefully it will be a good one.”
Much more to come on that one shortly.
In case you missed it, there has been plenty of headlines made already at Flushing Meadows today, not least by 15-year-old Coco Gauff, who staged a stirring comeback to beat fellow teenager Anastasia Potapova, and a series of men’s seeds who exited the tournament.
As ever, interaction is welcome, so please do get in touch either on email (mike.hytner@theguardian.com) or tweet @mike_hytner. Let’s do this.
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