Nick Kyrgios loses out in arm wrestle as comeback derailed ahead of Australian Open
Updated . First published at
Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios' singles comeback has been knocked off course after he was defeated by world No.31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round at the Brisbane International.
In a battle of the big servers, tiebreakers decided the winner in all three sets as Mpetshi Perricard triumphed 7-6(2), 6(4)-7, 7-6(3).
The 21-year-old scored 36 aces for the match to Kyrgios' 15.
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Nick Kyrgios reacts after losing a point. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
Coming out unscathed from his doubles victory with Novak Djokovic on Monday night, Kyrgios failed to get on top of the rising Frenchman's powerful second serve — which hovered around the 210km/h mark.
The opening set played out on serve before a seven-point tiebreak was needed to determine the winner — a glimpse into how the rest of the match would unfold.
Mpetshi Perricard attained a mini-break early in the tiebreak before back-to-back aces saw him take out the set 7-6(2)
In his comeback to the court following repeat injuries in recent years, including a debilitating wrist complaint, Kyrgios sought treatment on his wrist and elbow after the first set.
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Following a medical timeout, Kyrgios returned for the second set but looked to be nursing his right wrist.
As was the case in the first set, the second occurred on serve with Kyrgios struggling to break Mpetshi Perricard's serve.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard celebrates victory over Nick Kyrgios at the 2025 Brisbane International. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
As his unforced errors crept up marginally, Kyrgios appeared frustrated as he tried to find a way through.
"He's just guessing now," former player John Millman said in commentary for Nine regarding Kyrgios' return of the Mpetshi Perricard serve.
Kyrgios' signature underarm serve made an appearance and provided a winning formula after the tweener was on display on Monday night.
With only a sole break-point opportunity in the first set and a handful in the second, the latter was also decided with a seven-point tiebreak.
This time around, it was Kyrgios who secured the mini-break early before racing away to three set points.
He took the set 7-6(4) to force a deciding third set.
Nick Kyrgios celebrates after winning a point in his match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the 2025 Brisbane International. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
Kyrgios burst out of the gates in the third set and looked like he could take an early break before Mpetshi Perricard recovered to claim the opening game.
A late flurry of aces saw two straight games decided without a single return in a remarkable display of big hitting.
For the third straight set, the score was locked at six games apiece to force a seven-point tiebreak.
Proving the pattern of the match, Mpetshi Perricard grabbed the mini-break before clinching the set 7-6(3).
While Kyrgios' doubles campaign continues, he will be back on the singles court in less than two weeks at the Australian Open.
Mpetshi Perricard will next meet American Frances Tiafoe.
