Special Ks stun no.3 seeds to book a Miami Open men’s doubles semi final spot – after Nick Kyrgios exploded at the umpire and tennis officials during earlier singles defeat
- Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are in semi-finals of Miami Open doubles
- Aussie tennis stars stunned third seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers
- Hours earlier in the men’s singles, Kyrgios lost to Italian young gun Jannik Sinner
- Kyrgios is likely to be fined and possibly suspended for his on-court meltdown
- He labelled Brazilian official Carlos Bernardes an ‘absolute clown’ mid-match
Aussie tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis continue to impress as a world class doubles combination after winning through to the semi-finals of the Miami Open.
The ‘Special Ks’ – who won the Australian Open together in January – toppled highly fancied third seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.
The impressive result came just hours after Kyrgios’ on-court meltdown in the fourth round men’s singles against Italian young gun Jannik Sinner.
Kyrgios, 26, is set to face severe disciplinary action from the ATP, including a possible suspension following his antics versus Sinner, who stayed composed and won the match 7-6, 6-3.
The Canberra native received a game penalty at the start of the second set when he smashed his racket.
He later branded veteran Brazilian official Carlos Bernardes an ‘absolute clown.’
Tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis continue to impress as a world class doubles combination after winning through to the semi-finals of the Miami Open (pictured, Kyrgios in action in the men’s singles fourth round)
The ‘Special K’s’ – who won the Australian Open together in January – both lost their respective singles matches in Miami – but recovered in the doubles to beat third seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2
Kyrgios, who hasn’t denied speculation he is engaged to Sydney blogger Costeen Hatzi, was in a foul mood from the first point in Miami.
He complained about the slower speed of the Grandstand Court surface before turning his attention to Bernardes’ walkie-talkie, which went off mid-point.
‘This is incredible,’ Kyrgios said. ‘Miami, one of the biggest tournaments. You guys can’t do your job. It’s embarrassing.’
He then added the officials ‘should be fired on the spot’ and that he ‘could do a 100 times better job.’
Kyrgios also told a journalist covering the match to ‘write about the umpires and how sh*t they are.’
Nick Kyrgios had a day to forget during his Miami Open fourth-round exit on Tuesday
At the change of ends he was given the game penalty for smashing his racket into his chair
He is tipped to be issued a fine of at least $10,000 – and a tournament ban may also follow.
Kyrgios said later: ‘If you are being booed by the crowd you are not doing a good job. I’ve never been part of a match where the umpire has been hated so much. The ATP don’t give a f***.’
‘How much do I bring to the sport? That’s the problem with tennis is that it doesn’t protect our stars at all. We love to outcast them.
‘The ATP never defends their players and stands up to them. I am used to it, have been used to it my whole career and it sucks.
He was close to being disqualified by Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes calling him a ‘clown’
‘I have one incident where I threw a racket which didn’t hit anyone, I know it can be dangerous but I went back the next day and apologised to the kid the next day. He will remember that for the rest of his life.
‘Me, my girlfriend, my team all have to deal with the bad comments and the ATP don’t give a f***.’
In the doubles, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis next face either second-seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury or wildcard duo John Isner and Hubart Hurkacz for a spot in the final.
The Special K’s won the Australian Open doubles titles in stunning fashion after they were granted a wildcard pre-tournament.
The good friends created a raucous atmosphere on court, which won them plenty of fans – but frustrated many of their opponents on the other side of the net.
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