Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios set to defend Australian Open doubles crown

Thanasi Kokkinakis says he and shut buddy Nick Kyrgios will defend their males’s doubles title at this month’s Australian Open tennis match in Melbourne.

Kokkinakis and Kyrgios — nicknamed the “Particular Ks” — supplied an intriguing storyline eventually yr’s Australian Open, as they thrilled packed crowds with their run to the ultimate.

The wildcard pairing teamed as much as beat fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell within the last on the identical night time Ash Barty gained the ladies’s singles crown.

“We’ll be taking part in at [the Australian Open] — doubles is so much much less taxing on the physique, and mentally it’s kind of simpler as properly,” Kokkinakis stated.

Kokkinakis is in his dwelling city of Adelaide to contest the back-to-back ATP Tour occasions being held forward of the Australian Open, which can start on January 16.

He’s defending champion within the second match.

With a world rating of 93, Kokkinakis was granted a wildcard into this week’s Adelaide draw.

He’ll play American world quantity 34 Maxime Cressy within the opening spherical.

Kyrgios is scheduled to play throughout week two in Adelaide, nevertheless he could also be doubtful after pulling out of Australia’s United Cup crew with an ankle harm final Wednesday.

High-seed Novak Djokovic is taking part in in Australia for the primary time since he was deported previous to final yr’s Australian Open and has been drawn to play Frenchman Fixed Lestienne in spherical one.

One other former world primary, Daniil Medvedev, takes on Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

AAP/ABC