Kyrgios Approaches Serving Record In Brisbane

Could Nick Kyrgios’ infamous spider bite have given him special serving powers?

Kyrgios nearly made serving history on Tuesday at the Brisbane International, hitting 44 aces in his first-round victory against Ryan Harrison. That is tied for the second most aces in a best-of-three set tour-level match since such records were first kept in 1991. The only player who has hit more aces in best-of-three action was Ivo Karlovic, who struck 45 aces against Tomas Berdych in Halle three years ago.

Watch Kyrgios vs. Harrison Match Highlights

Could Kyrgios have served any better in his first match of the 2019 ATP Tour season?

“I don’t think so,” Kyrgios said. “I needed every single one of them today, though.”

Kyrgios landed 80 first served in a rematch of the 2017 Brisbane final, meaning that 55 per cent of his first-serve points resulted in aces. The Aussie lost just seven service points in the final set, ultimately winning the match in a third-set tie-break after two hours and eight minutes.

Most Aces In A Best-Of-Three Match

“My serve is always something that I know that I can go back on, and today it came through again,” Kyrgios said.

The defending champion wasn’t the only one serving rockets on Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday, though. Harrison hit 27 aces himself, earning praise from Kyrgios.

“He was serving well today as well,” Kyrgios said. “I thought that his serve improved a lot since the last time I played him, which was last year at this time. His serve was a lot harder to read.”

Kyrgios will hope to serve at or near the same level in the second round against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.