Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios could meet in the Australian Open's third round. Who would win?
In this scenario, the Aussie would be coming in with momentum—and loads of local support.
Nick Kyrios would love to play Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, and not only because it would be in the final.
That's unlikely to happen, but a matchup between the Aussie and No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev is possible—if not probable?—in the third round. Despite an abdominal strain, Kyrgios is set to play singles in Melbourne Park.
Should the former Wimbledon finalist advance past Jacob Fearnley and his second-round opponent, could he take out Zverev, his presumptive third-round challenger? We asked our experts.
Peter Bodo: Zverev. Even if Kyrgios gets that far, his fitness and lack of match play will doom his chances.
Franziska Bruells: Zverev. Because even if Kyrgios is unpredictable, Zverev's physical strength and fitness are several classes higher—and that's what matters in five-set matches.
Liya Davidov: Zverev is hungry and aching. He’s come so close at a Slam too many times, and he isn’t about to let Kyrgios—who will have to use every trick in the book to contend in this hypothethical—get past him.
Joel Drucker: Zverev, who has proven to be rock solid for years now.
Matthew Fitzgerald: Zverev. While both have question marks about being fully fit and haven’t faced off in nearly six years (!!), this is Nick's first major since the 2022 US Open.
David Kane: If Kyrgios is in the third round, one must assume his various and sundry injuries are in stasis and suddenly he’s exactly where he wants to be: in a position to prove himself against a talented by historically brittle competitor, and backed by an adoring crowd.
Stephanie Livaudais: While Kyrgios impressed in singles and doubles in Brisbane, a dialed-in Zverev would easily expose his opponent’s lack of match fitness over five sets.
Ed McGrogan: Kyrgios. Zverev has plenty of experience facing crowd favorites, most notably at Roland Garros, where he ended Rafael Nadal’s career in the first round. But facing a hypothetically healthy and surging Kyrgios would be a challenge the German wouldn’t relish in Rod Laver Arena.
Emma Storey: Zverev. It would be a very entertaining match, and the Aussie might take a set off the big-serving German, but Zverev is not only superior in every department, he also has the stamina and fitness to outlast Kyrgios if it did end up going the distance.
Steve Tignor: Kyrgios leads their head-to-head 4-3, and would have the crowd in a frenzy, but Zverev knows how to stay calm in a best-of-five format.