In Brisbane, Djokovic and Kyrgios were defeated in doubles.

In Brisbane, Djokovic and Kyrgios were defeated in doubles.

Top-seeded duo Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus narrowly defeated Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. In the second round of the Brisbane International men’s doubles tournament.

After missing 18 months due to injury, 29-year-old Kyrgios returned to singles action on. Sunday but lost a tough three-set encounter to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

The Australian claimed he was in “throbbing” pain after the loss and hinted. That he would not be able to play in the Australian Open. This month Djokovic and Kyrgios were defeated .

However, he kept his word to play with Djokovic in the doubles and seemed at ease. Just catching his right arm every now and then in between serves.

The match went to a decisive first-to-10-points tie-break after the. Pair dropped the opening set 6-2 then bounced back to win the second 6-3.

At 8-6, a double fault by the Serbian proved costly, as Kyrgios and Djokovic were two points away from winning.

It helped Mektic and Venus regain the momentum in the tie-break, and they won the next three points to win 6-2 3-6 10-8.

Mektic remarked, “Incredible,” thereafter. “Seeing Djokovic and Kyrgios made me really thrilled because I could play them on January 1st.

“We knew there would be points like that against players like these, and it is an incredible feeling to start the year like way.”

In pursuit of his 100th career ATP championship, Djokovic has advanced to the singles quarterfinals, where he will face Gael Monfils of France.