Kyrgios and Murray in feature night match

Nick Kyrgios' marquee first-round match-up with Andy Murray has been scheduled as the feature night match on day two of the US Open on Tuesday.

Nick Kyrgios.

Nick Kyrgios' first-round US Open clash with Andy Murray has been given a prime-time slot on US TV. (AAP)

Nick Kyrgios' eagerly-awaited first-round US Open showdown with Andy Murray has been given prime-time billing on American TV.

The marquee match-up has been scheduled as the feature night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday as broadcasters cash in on two of the most marketable players in tennis.

Five-times champion Roger Federer has been a fixture on the Open's night schedule for years, but the Swiss superstar this year will open his campaign against Leonardo Mayer in the centre-court day session to make way for Murray and Kyrgios.

Kyrgios is vowing to let his racquet do the talking as he bids to spring the first big shock of the Open after spending the past month embroiled in controversy.

Condemned and sanctioned for his trash talking, Australia's two-time grand slam quarter-finalist hopes to remind fans of his playing talents with an upset win over Scotland's third-seeded former champion.

He is just one of nine Australians in action, but all eyes will be on Kyrgios when the 20-year-old hits the court for the first time since copping a four-week suspended ban for his crude sledging of French Open champion Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters.

Despite falling to Murray in all three previous clashes, including in straight sets in Melbourne and Paris, Kyrgios believes he can turn the tables on the Scot to really shake up the men's draw.

"I've played him three times now, I know what his strengths are and know how to play it. I just have to execute it on the day," Kyrgios said in his first interview since being placed on notice by the ATP.

A quarter-finalist at the Australian Open despite battling a back injury, Kyrgios feels the best he has all year after a torrid week training with Lleyton Hewitt at the former world No.1's Bahamas base.

"Obviously having Lleyton on court's helped me a lot," he said.

"I feel like I've been practising well, my preparation's been really good and I feel like I'm playing some really good tennis.

"He's (Murray) in form too, probably playing the best tennis of his life, winning Montreal and losing to Federer last week, pretty tight, so I know that he's one of the best players in the world at the moment.

"I just have to go out there and play the right style of game and believe I can win."

The match could also serve as a Davis Cup preview with Australia set to take on Great Britain in the semi-finals in Glasgow the week after the US Open.

Kyrgios had been planning to team up with Kokkinakis in the doubles in New York, but they were notable absentees when the draw was released on Monday.


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world