‘Salty’ clash a big highlight

Kyrgios, Nadal take centrestage in Melbourne

PUTTING the beers and bad blood aside, Nick Kyrgios is pledging to “give everything” in his quest to bring down Rafael Nadal in their muchanticipated grudge match at the Australian Open tonight.

Last time the two met, Nadal prevailed in a thrilling four-setter after Kyrgios was backing up from a night out at Wimbledon Village’s Dog & Fox pub.

Six months on and the seemingly new and improved

Kyrgios was promising to rest up and recover from the longest match of his career, an epic third-round triumph over Karen Khachanov that lasted four hours and 26 minutes.

“I’m super excited, honestly,” he said.

“Playing one of the greatest tennis players on centre court at your own slam, it’s pretty damn cool. I’m looking forward to it. That’s why you play.”

Both men are playing down their bitter rivalry, but there’s bound to be spice.

Branding Nadal “super salty” last year after the Spaniard accused him of lacking respect for his opponents and fans after serving underarm during their most recent hardcourt encounter in Acapulco, Kyrgios is not ruling out using the sneaky, though legal, tactic again.

“If it gets in Rafa’s head, then it’s a success,” Kyrgios said at this month’s ATP Cup.

“I think any time in a match where the opponent stops thinking about what he needs to do and starts focusing on external things like that, I think I’ve got an edge straightaway.”

For all the niggle and needling, Kyrgios maintains the utmost professional respect for the 19-time grand slam champion.

“I mean, (despite) what happens between us, he is an amazing player. He is arguably the greatest of all time,” Kyrgios said. “He is a champion.

“I will ... give everything I have and hopefully it will be enough.”

Nadal leads 4-3 in career meetings; Kyrgios 2-1 on hardcourts.

The winner will play either Dominic Thiem or Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals.