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Nick Kyrgios +2200 to Win Australian Open After Second Round

Hans Themistode

by Hans Themistode in Tennis

Updated Apr 3, 2020 · 9:54 AM PDT

Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios is favored to advance to the fourth round where he could meet Rafael Nadal. Photo by Carine06 (Flickr).
  • You never know what to expect from Nick Kyrgios at any given time
  • Yet with him seemingly motivated as ever to win this entire tournament for Australian amid the devastating fires there is reason to believe that he can get it done
  • Should you take a chance on Kyrgios to actually win the entire open?

The very best tennis players in the world have gathered at the Australian Open. After two rounds already in the books, we’re getting down to the elite.

One of those aforementioned elite players that is still left in the draw is Nick Kyrgios.

If you looked up the word mercurial, the picture of Nick Kyrgios will certainly be the first thing that will appear. His talent is undeniable but his work ethic and behavior have held him back on several occasions.

Coming into this grand slam, Kyrgios was given extremely long odds to pull off the victory. +3100 to be exact. Following his first round straight-sets win over Lorenzo Sonego, his odds decreased to +2400.

Another impressive win in the second round, this time against Gilles Simon, have seen his odds improve yet again, but does it make sense to take a chance on him to actually win the entire tournament?

Odds to Win 2020 Men’s Australian Open

Players Odds
Novak Djokovic +100
Rafael Nadal +400
Daniil Medvedev +700
Roger Federer +700
Stefanos Tsitsipas +1200
Dominic Thiem +2000
Nick Kyrgios +2200
Alexander Zverev +4000
Andrey Rublev +5000
Marin Cilic +5000
Roberto Bautista-Agut +6600
Stan Wawrinka +8000
David Goffin +8000
Karen Khachanov +8000
Milos Raonic +10000

Odds taken Jan. 23. 

Kyrgios Starts Off His Year Strong

For as much criticism that Nick Kyrgios receives, and he does receive a ton of it, his talent is always amongst the very best in the world but the lack of focus he has displayed time and time again has left many question marks.

Yet, even with the uncertainty surrounding his career at all times, Kyrgios has looked great in the early portion of the 2020 year. With a 5-1 start, Kyrgios has only lost to top ten tennis player Roberto Bautista Agut.

His impressive start to the season coupled with an unbelievable start to his Australian Open, has left many believing that maybe he can live up to the sort of potential that he has always shown throughout his career.

Kyrgios Fighting for More Than Himself

For some strange reason, Nick Kyrgios has always had his fair share of issues when it comes down to single competitions. He just seems to have repeated meltdowns every single time. But when Kyrgios is fighting for more than himself, he lives up to the talent that everyone believes he has.

Just take a look at the skills he has put on display in team settings such as the Davis Cup. Kyrgios is unbelievable.

Although the Australian Open isn’t exactly a team setting, Kyrgios is Australian and he has pledged to donate $1,000 for every set he wins. So far he’s up to $6,000. With another win in his third round contest against Karen Khachanov, Kyrgios can get up to $9,000 but it won’t come easy.

Kyrgios is ranked just 26th overall, compared to Khachanov at 17th. Khachanov also defeated the Australian in their only meeting last summer 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-2 at the Western & Southern Open. Should Kyrgios advance past Khachanov, he’ll very likely be meeting Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. Nadal owns a 4-3 lifetime record over Kyrgios and won their last match at Wimbledon last year in four sets. And while he’s proven capable of going toe-to-toe with the Spaniard, he likely did himself no favors with his mocking impression of Nadal last round.

 

Should You Believe in Nick Kyrgios?

With the devastating fires that are currently ravishing the country, Kyrgios is as motivated as ever. Under normal circumstances, Kyrgios is the sort of player that you shouldn’t even pay attention to.

Again, it has nothing to do with his talent level but more so with his level of focus.

With that being said, however, Kyrgios has a chip on his shoulders right now. He has shown poise and resolve throughout the Australian Open. Two words that are seldom if ever associated with Kyrgios.

Still, don’t put your money on him to win the entire tournament.

What you can expect, however, is for Kyrgios to continue his terrific run. A tournament win on the other hand just seems like too far a bridge to cross. Especially with players such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal still going strong.

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