US Open 2019 first round: Steve Johnson v Nick Kyrgios – live!

Second set: Johnson 3-6, 4-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Here we go then. Kyrgios is given a court violation for an audible obscenity. Umpire James Keothavong isn’t impressed. As usual, it’s not entirely obvious what has sparked Kyrgios off, but he’s fired up now. Every point he wins this game is wildly celebrated, not least the one off a blockbuster forehand winner to bring up game point. He backs it up with an ace and he still leads.

And it becomes clear at the changeover what fired Kyrgios up – spectators entering the stadium during play. It appears he’s unhappy with how Keothavong is dealing with the issue.

Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 4-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): This is a crucial hold for Johnson, who saves two break points as the pressure begins to tell a bit on Kyrgios. At several times this game he remonstrates, with himself and his box, and are the cracks are beginning to appear?

Second set: Johnson 3-6, 3-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Another straight-forward service game for Kyrgios – to love – is sealed with an ace. Kyrgios, despite the tight shorts issue (which he’s not complaining about anymore, even if he’s pulling them down to stretch them at the changeover), is looking good this set.

Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 3-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson stays with Kyrgios, holding again to level the ledger.

Kyrgios’s mate, Thanasi Kokkinakis, earlier won through to the second, where he’ll play Rafael Nadal. The wildcard entrant needed almost four hours to get past Ilya Ivashka 6-3 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (7-4) 6-2, a match that left the injury-prone Australian euphoric.

“It was a hell of a feeling. Obviously I feel like I’ve had a lot of my tennis career so far, to this point, taken away. I knew the first two sets, getting those under my belt was going to be big. Luckily I got the second set after I broke a string on set point. What are the odds? I’ve probably been playing for two hours and then on that point it breaks but, you know, that’s tennis. It’s definitely a massive relief.”

Second set: Johnson 3-6, 2-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Wow. The missiles keep launching from Kyrgios’s arm as he races into a 40-0 lead. An aberration follows, which leads to the Australian chuntering to himself and the TV commentators to apologise “for the language”. No matter though, and he seals the game without further ado.

At the changeover Kyrgios appears unhappy with… his shorts. He shouts over at his box, asking whether he should change them.

Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 2-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson holds. But not before Kyrgios gets back into the game at 30-40 with a point that he makes looks easy, following a drop shot and then a neatly-executed volley. It goes to deuce. “Niiiiick!” shouts Kyrgios as he goes way long though, and Johnson seals the game.

Second set: Johnson 3-6, 1-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios hammers down a ninth ace of the night before sealing the game with a ridiculous forehand that he plays stood upright, reaching down low with his racket to meet the ball. That shot can only be described as nonchalant.

Second set: *Johnson 3-6, 1-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson’s turn now to show his quality, with a lovely backhand volley at the net, having earlier out-manoeuvred his opponent. He gets ahead 40-15 but an overcooked forehand gives Kyrgios a sniff – until the Australian ends hopes of a break early this set with an overhit effort of his own. Good response from Johnson.

Second set: Johnson 3-6, 0-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios kicks off the second set in style – with an ace – before another follows to go 40-0 up. His next effort is also unplayable, even if Johnson manages to get some of his racket to it this time, and Kyrgios wraps up the game without any fuss.

First set: *Johnson 3-6 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios moves closer thanks to a weird shot that doesn’t appear to take a net cord but nevertheless completely fools Johnson, who doesn’t reach the ball. Then Kyrgios, on the first of two break points, fires another winner, his 18th of the night so far, to break again and claim the first set. Impressive stuff so far from the Australian 28th seed.

First set: Johnson 3-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios can sense the first set here. He closes out another service game to move within a game of the first set. He’s got six aces to his name so far tonight, and 16 winners.

First set: *Johnson 3-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Wonderful stuff from the Australian after he pops up a return of serve that Johnson should really put away – only for Kyrgios to whack a backhand with venom right back past him. Two break points for Kyrgios soon follow and although he can’t convert the first, he does on the second with a big reach down to his left to dig out a backhand volleyed winner! And we have our first break of the night.

First set: Johnson 3-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Here goes the Kyrgios serve again. But it’s not a good start as he double faults first up. He gets a challenge wrong soon after and there follows a bit of grumbling. But he eventually shows his resilience as his serve comes back to his rescue, saving two break points before sealing the game. Still on serve in the opening set.

First set: *Johnson 3-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios is a bit annoyed with himself – understandably so – as a regulation forehand goes into the net and Johnson goes on to claim the lead once again. These first five games have lasted just 12 minutes – no accusations of taking too long over service points tonight!

First set: Johnson 2-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Soft, soft hands on Kyrgios and he delivers an inch-perfect drop shot for the first time tonight. And then again, to go 40-15 up, this time as he moves into the net to dink a forehand delightfully across the court. Early signs of Very Good Nick here, with a nice combination of power and finesse.

First set: *Johnson 2-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios appears to have some rocket fuel in his racket head tonight – a blistering (and when I say blistering I mean blistering) forehand service return again gets the crowd excited, but Johnson recovers and keeps his composure to see out his service game. Already the crowd seem keen on interaction tonight (even the kid behind Kyrgios is having a chat with him at the changeover).

First set: Johnson 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios elicits some whoops from the crowd with a monster ace before he secures the game in an almost dismissive manner – a booming forehand return that Johnson can’t get near to. The crowd love that!

First set: *Johnson 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Johnson exhibits his serving prowess early on, acing on his way to a 40-0 lead. A couple of Kyrgios points later, the Australian can only return into the net and Johnson has the first game of the match in his back pocket.

First set: *Johnson 0-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): OK, warm-ups are done and dusted and we’re about to get underway. Kyrgios, in a white shirt and Fiorentina-purple shorts, will receive first with Johnson, sporting a red cap, red shirt and dark shorts (and a bad teenage moustache) to serve first. Here we go.

So what’s at stake? Well, quite a bit, given results earlier today. Kyrgios, seeded 28, is now one of just three seeds left in this quarter of the draw, along with No 13 Gael Monfils, No 24 Mateo Berrettini.

A quick word on another Australian hope earlier today, John Millman – he was no match for Rafael Nadal, who is seeking a fourth US Open crown. The Spaniard won in less than two hours, 6-3 6-2 6-2. Despite the one-sided scoreboard, Nadal was full of praise for Millman.

“His movement is great. He showed last year what he is able to do when he is playing well and it was a match I came on court with a lot of respect. I think I played a solid match, the first one, very happy with the victory. My serve worked very well tonight. Hitting good backhands, some more mistakes than usual with the forehand but in general I am happy with the way I started.”

It’s just gone 11pm at Flushing Meadows – this one’s going to go deep into the New York night. The players are about to enter the arena, but before they do, there’s time for a quick chat.

Johnson: “I’m going to take care of business on my serve. Just go out there and compete.”

Kyrgios: “I’m very excited to be playing Stevie, he’s a good mate of mine. He’ll have the crowd behind him and I’m just going to go out there and have fun. We’ll put on a show for you guys.”

Good.

OK, we shouldn’t be too far off starting now the previous match on Louis Armstrong has just ended – Aryna Sabalenka, the ninth-seeded woman this year, was made to fight hard for her place in the second round by fellow Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka. It took Sabalenka 2hrs 13mins to see off her good mate, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

And earlier, Naomi Osaka, the world No 1, got over some early nerves (“I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my life,” she said) to get past Russia’s Anna Blinkova.