Nick Kyrgios makes tennis history with record ace haul
Nick Kyrgios has fallen one short of the world record for most aces in a three-set ATP match.
The Aussie star slammed down an astonishing 44 aces in his victory over Ryan Harrison at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.
The record is held by Ivo Karlovic, who belted 45 aces in a three-setter in 2015.
Karlovic also hit 44 in 2014, as did Mark Philippoussis in 1995.
#atp Kyrgios wins 7-6 5-7 7-6 over Harrison and falls just one ace short of getting a tie for the record in three set tennis. 44 aces in a match, the most by an Aussie.
— Shane Jones (@southendaussies) January 1, 2019
John Isner holds the record for a five-set match, smashing 113 aces in his eight-hour epic against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.
In a re-match of the 2018 Brisbane final, eighth seed Kyrgios outlasted world No.62 Harrison 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) in just over two hours.
Australia’s No.2 claimed he would be rusty in the opener after his preparation was disrupted by a spider bite that required hospital treatment in his hometown Canberra over Christmas.
And the world No.35 was true to his word as he was kept honest by the hard-hitting Harrison before booking a second round clash with France’s Jeremy Chardy.
Kyrgios, 23, endured a frustrating 2018 in which his ranking slipped from world No.21, cutting his season short in October with a recurring elbow complaint.
Murray emotional after breakthrough win
Meanwhile, three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray showed no sign of rust in his return from an injury-hit 2018, downing Australian wildcard James Duckworth in the first round.
In his first event since September after a career threatening hip injury limited his 2018 season, the former world No.1 overcame Duckworth 6-3 6-4 in less than 90 minutes.
Dual champion Murray extended his Brisbane record to 10-0, booking a second round clash with fourth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Murray, 31, was playing his first tournament since pulling out of the China Open four months ago.
He was limited to just six events in 2018, plummeting his ranking to world No.256.
“It’s been really hard the last 18 months, been a lot of ups and downs trying to get back on court,” Murray said.
“Being back now I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can, for as long as I can.”
with AAP
