'Crazy scenes': Nick Kyrgios takes centre stage on 'Hell Day' at Australian Open
Mostly sunny skies returned to Melbourne Park on Tuesday for the second day of the Australian Open, a welcome change from the deluge of rain showers that forced suspension of dozens of matches on Monday.
Organisers were forced to start play on outside courts a half-hour early on Tuesday, with an insane 96 matches on the schedule.
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Some outside courts have seven matches scheduled for the day, with fears the chaotic schedule could be further disrupted.
Crazy scenes tomorrow at the #AusOpen.
Courts with seven (!) matches scheduled, 10.30am starts.
Full OOP: https://t.co/6MVlGqF9lR— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 20, 2020
Hell Day is upon us. https://t.co/wJscarsVnU
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 20, 2020
Apparently there are now 96 matches scheduled for Oz Open tomorrow - that sounds impossible! All it needs is a few 5 set men’s to throw that off or matches will be ending at stupid o’clock
— Tracey Davies (@miss_traceydav) January 20, 2020
#AusOpen Day 2...
After the rain disrupted the schedule yesterday, there will be 96 matches today.
I don't know how they will be pulled off, but we'll see.— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) January 20, 2020
96 matches slated across all courts. Close-to-perfect skies overhead. No wonder the pre-opening crowds are heaving this morning. Day two at Melbourne Park is a tennis lover’s paradise. #ausopen pic.twitter.com/kgC80oXHfh
— Matt Johnson (@matte_johnson) January 20, 2020
Kyrgios leads Aussie charge
The Nick Kyrgios rehabilitation regime will undergo its first big test of the summer as the mercurial star gets his Melbourne Park campaign underway, with a dozen other Australians also in action.
Getting warm support following his fundraising efforts for the Australian bushfires, Kyrgios nonetheless finds himself walking a tightrope with a 16-week suspended ban hanging over his head.
While he acquitted himself well at the ATP Cup, he admitted being far more relaxed in the team environment with the season-opening grand slam and best of five set matches expected to be much more of a physical and mental challenge for him.
He says Italian opponent Lorenzo Sonego will also present his share of problems.
"Sonego is a tough competitor," Kyrgios said.
"I played him in Cincinnati last year. It was a tough match. Very capable player. Big serve. Loves to hit his forehand."
On Monday rain restricted all but the earliest of matches to the three covered courts but after some morning showers things are expected to clear on Tuesday where a jam-packed schedule awaits.
Alexei Popyrin has an intriguing match against 2008 finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The world No.96 will be looking to continue on from last year's admirable grand slam efforts, where he won through every first round match.
At the Australian Open he took out two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem.
John Millman faces a tough clash with Ugo Humbert, the 21 year-old Frenchman in excellent touch after taking out last week's Auckland International.
Jordan Thompson and Ajla Tomljanovic head the rest of the local hopes.
Of the internationals a slew of tournament fancies are scheduled to get their campaigns underway.
World No.1 Rafael Nadal looks to have the most straightforward of matches, the Spaniard up against 73rd-ranked Bolivian Hugo Dellien.
Elsewhere things get a little more interesting.
Daniil Medvedev is expected to encounter some opposition from 2019 quarter-finalist Frances Tiafoe while Simona Halep will have to counter the heavy hitting of Jennifer Brady.
And Alexander Zverev has tought first-up clash with Marco Cecchinato.
Despite him being lauded as one of the 'next-gen' talents likely to breakthrough for a grand slam, Zverev hasn't always lived up to expectations, particularly at major level.
The German has yet to progress past the last eight at a slam while his much more unheralded opponent made the semi-finals of the French Open in 2018.
with AAP
