Nick Kyrgios' classy US Open act for Kokkinakis after team drama

Nick Kyrgios knocked out doubles partner Thansai Kokkinakis in straight sets in the opening round of the US Open but the enigmatic Aussie still found time to become animated at his box over a coaching complaint.

Kyrgios was too good for his friend Kokkinakis after clinching the third set tiebreaker in the all-Australian affair to win 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.

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The World No.25 has continued his brilliant form since Wimbledon and will be looking to make a deep run having gained the No.28 seed in New York.

Kyrgios was all class after the match and claimed drawing his friend in the first round as a 'nightmare'.

"Probably one of the most uncomfortable matches I've played in my career," Kyrgios said.

"When we both saw the draw, it was a nightmare, honestly. I feel like there's probably two players - two or three players - that after tennis I'm probably going to stay in contact with till I probably die, to be honest.

"Thanasi is one of them. It's just really hard."

Kyrgios paid tribute to Kokkinakis after returning to the top of tennis, despite suffering so many injury setbacks in his career.

"I was telling some people I feel like he had a really good opportunity, the way his body is, the way he's holding up physically, his belief to play match after match. I thought he had an opportunity to go far in the draw," Kyrgios added.

"Its unfortunate. The way I'm playing, the goals I have, I felt like I had a good opportunity in this tournament too.

"Look, it is what it is. I felt I dealt with it pretty professionally.

"We are going to play each other, hopefully, never again. We will just close that out. I am just happy to move forward."

Nick Kyrgios rages at team box

However, while Kyrgios was too good for Kokkinakis, the 27-year-old still took out his frustration out on those sitting in his players box over a new rule at the US Open.

The US Open marks the first time coaching is allowed at a grand slam.

And Kyrgios felt like his team wasn't doing enough to encourage him, compared to Kokkinakis' camp.

At 2-3 in the third set, Kyrgios blasted his team for not lending him support after he pointed out it was now legal to give him hints.

"You can't stand up for 40-0, but his team can talk to him point in, point out," a frustrated Kyrgios said to his team.

"His team can do it, it's legal now. It's legal."

Kyrgios overcame the frustration to set-up a clash against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.

Coaching during the US Open has been a hot topic amongst players.

While some have welcomed the rule, World No.1 Daniil Medvedev said he wouldn't be using it much.

American World No.12 Taylor Fritz took it one step further and said it undermines the integrity of the sport.

"I really hate it," Fritz said.

"It's not something that should be a part of our sport.

"Tennis is an individual sport, so why should someone else be able to help you? I think people underestimate how mental and strategic the sport is, so they don't understand how big of a difference it is.

"I think that figuring it out for yourself on the court is a massive part of our sport...You have to change things up for yourself, figure out yourself what's going on, adjust to what the opponent's doing.

"I just feel like we're losing an important part of our sport."

with wires

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