Kokkinakis cramps while Hewitt fights on

US Open

He was thrust into the centre of controversy last month thanks to countryman Nick Kyrgios, and things didn’t get much better for Thanasi Kokkinakis during the first round of the US Open after being forced to retire due to severe cramping. 

Kokkinakis looked threatening against 12th seed Richard Gasquet, with the young Aussie taking two sets from the Frenchman before having to retire in the last set after dropping the first two games. 

At one point the Australian lead two-sets-to-one, but could not continue with the score locked at 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 2-0. 

The heat and humidity were to blame for the Kokkinakis ailment, who received courtside treatment before continuing to play - clearly hindered. 

The Australian dished up a number of serves at less than 100kph, before slamming his racquet and retiring in the fifth. 

Lleyton Hewitt found himself on the opposite end of the injury coin, making his way through to the second round after Aleksandr Nedovyesov retired hurt with a shoulder complaint 6-0, 7-6, 1-0. 

Hewitt’s progression to the second round caps off a disappointing first stint at the US Open for the Australian contingent, with Bernard Tomic, Samantha Stosur and Nick Kyrgios looking to follow Hewitt into the second round on Wednesday.

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