SYDNEY – Inclement weather ensured a rusty Nick Kyrgios was made to wait for his comeback match at the Sydney International but it was opponent Jerzy Janowicz who ultimately rained most on his parade.
Australia’s new tennis showman mounted a stirring comeback in the first round match but the in-form Pole hung tough for a 6-1 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) win.
Still, it was a solid return to matchplay for the 19 year-old who may head to the Australian Open underdone but hardly out of sorts.
The only issue may be whether he sustained an injury in the deciding tie break, Kyrgios appearing to prop on his left knee towards the end of the match.
Playing his first tour match in almost four months after fatigue and a series of injuries kept him on the sidelines, Kyrgios initially had to wait out a rain delay before hitting the court just before 11pm local time.
Keen for some pre-Australian Open matchplay after withdrawing from the Hopman Cup because of a back injury, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist found himself up against a All England Club semi-finalist, and a man in quite the touch having guided Poland to the Hopman Cup title in Perth last week.
