Dylan Alcott lifts the lid on mid-match chat with Nick Kyrgios

Tennis star-turned-commentator Dylan Alcott has lifted the lid on his cheeky mid-match chat with Nick Kyrgios during his showdown against Daniil Medvedev on Thursday night.

Coming off a lengthy absence from international tournaments and having recently recovered after contracting Covid-19, Kyrgios threw everything he had at Medvedev in a thoroughly entertaining four-set epic at Rod Laver Arena.

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The Russian world No.2 proved too strong for the Aussie hopeful in the end, claiming a 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory in front of an occasionally too enthusiastic crowd.

Medvedev was bothered several times throughout the match by the crowd making noise in between his first and second serves, with even Kyrgios chastising the crowd at one point.

It was a distraction from what was an incredibly high level of tennis from both players, however despite his big-serving game and occasional underarm serves, Kyrgios found it difficult to counter Medvedev's deep positioning on the court.

Searching for answers at one point during the second set, Kyrgios turned to Alcott for some advice during a change of ends as the wheelchair champion sat on court in his role as colour commentator for Channel 9.

Discussing their exchange after the match, Alcott said Kyrgios was focused on finding a way to overcome the tournament favourite.

“Yeah, we did (have a chat). He’s up and about, smiling at me. He’s right in it," Alcott said.

“But he said it’s so tough to play this bloke because unless he doesn’t make his first serve every time, the guy is like a robot, doesn’t miss a shot.

“And it’s true. Medvedev is absolutely unbelievable.

“He also said he wants to go to the donkey drop every time, the underarm serve. I said, ‘Go for it. Why not? If you’re standing that far back’.”

Jim Courier cheekily described their pair's brief back and forth as illegal on-court 'coaching', however Alcott said it was all Kyrgios out there.

“You know, even though it’s a tough one out here, I think he feels like he’s got a good shot," he said.

Medvedev lashes 'low IQ' Australian Open spectators

Medvedev risks becoming a new pantomime villain for Australian Open crowds after claiming those who booed him during his thrilling victory over home favourite Kyrgios "probably have a low IQ".

US Open champion Medvedev made the dig soon after telling the noisy Rod Laver Arena crowd with some irritation during his post-match on-court interview on Thursday that they needed to show some respect for his questioner, Jim Courier.

"It's a little bit disappointing," he told Eurosport soon after the match.

"A few moments on my serve, where he managed to make some good returns, and then break point on second serve, and people are cheering like you've made a double-fault.

"That's just disappointing. It's not everybody who's doing it - but those who are doing it probably have a low IQ."

Earlier, Medvedev had tried to tell double Australian Open champ Courier on court about those perceived boos, only for the American to try to play peacemaker by telling him fans were actually just indulging in the irritating new Cristiano Ronaldo goal celebration cry of "Siuuu!"

When they continued the din, an annoyed Medvedev retorted: "Sorry, I can't hear you. Show some respect for Jim Courier. Thank you, guys. Let him speak please.

"If you respect somebody, at least respect Jim Courier."

Later, Medvedev, who's now being tipped by Kyrgios to win the event after his brilliant performance, added in his press conference: "It's not easy to play against the crowd.

"I feel like these matches are not easy to play, but they stay as fun matches afterwards, because in the end, we gave the crowd a big show - probably Nick more, because, well, he's a big entertainer."

The Russian demonstrated with his icy resolve amid all the familiar mad pyrotechnics of the Kyrgios game that he's now himself matured from hot-head into mature grand slam champion. A few years ago, he felt, he might not have beaten the impressive Kyrgios.

With AAP

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