'You're made for this moment': The pep talk that sparked Kyrgios and Fernandez's stunning AO escape
Updated . First published at
Nick Kyrgios' Australian Open campaign is still alive after he and Leylah Fernandez surged into the second round of the mixed doubles with a monumental comeback.
The newly-formed duo survived a white-knuckle match tiebreak, saving multiple match points to keep the crowd at ANZ Arena on the edge of their seats.
In the tense 10-point decider, it appeared doubles specialists Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski would prevail. However, the Aussie-Canadian pairing weathered the storm to secure a 6-7(8), 6-4, (12-10) victory.
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Nick Kyrgios high fives Leylah Fernandez while competing in the mixed doubles. Morgan Hancock via Getty Images
Speaking after the win, Fernandez praised the chemistry of the duo, revealing how a timely pep talk from Kyrgios helped her find the self-belief to navigate the high-pressure finish.
"I had a lot of fun out there. I feel like every point we always had a smile afterwards. There wasn't any negative energy on court," she said.
"We were down 9-6 [in the match tiebreak], and I feel like Nick was the most positive guy there, saying, 'we'll get these next two'.
"Then at 9-8, you told me, 'You're made for this moment'. I just started believing. I'm like, 'Yeah, I am'. It was just a lot of fun.
"Nick brought great energy, and also the crowd."
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Despite having played on some of the world's biggest stages, Kyrgios described the atmosphere during the comeback as some of the "craziest energy" he has ever experienced.
"I have played a lot of matches at the AO, and I guess at this part of my career, I don't take any match for granted, even if it's doubles like last night or mixed," he said.
"That was some of the craziest energy that I've had.
"I mean, like, I have obviously played some amazing matches at AO, but that's got to be one of my favourite ones.
"Like, 9-6 down, 7-3, obviously, we're thinking realistically as tennis players, you don't always believe you can come back. But I was like, 'Look, if we just go one at a time, maybe we can do it'."
Following a disappointing men's doubles loss with Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday night, Kyrgios returned to Melbourne Park looking for redemption.
The first set went game for game, with neither team able to tighten their grip on the match as service holds remained untouchable.
Eventually, Kyrgios and Fernandez surrendered the opening set 7-6(8); the pair held a set point earlier in the tiebreak but could not convert, as a few loose shots played right into Skupski's hands.
However, they found their footing in the second set, breaking late to win it 6-4 and force the match tiebreak.
Nick Kyrgios and Leylah Fernandez faced a stern first-round test at Melbourne Park. Morgan Hancock via Getty Images
After falling behind early in the breaker to trail 7-3, the momentum shifted suddenly.
The lead pin-balled back and forth as Kyrgios and Fernandez stared down three match points before clawing back to 9-9.
On their second opportunity of the night, they finally sealed the deal.
"What a win for Nick Kyrgios and Leylah Fernandez, sending the fans inside ANZ Arena into raptures," David Culbert said in commentary.
