Briton Jacob Fearnley might be forgiven for having a sinking feeling after seeing his name bracketed with Nick Kyrgios in the first round of the Australian Open. Matches against Kyrgios can be a fraught experience at any time but playing the volatile Australian on his favourite showcourt at Melbourne Park is another level of harrowing.

Nick Kyrgios wants to shake up “mundane” tennis again as he prepares for an emotional Australian Open return. The 29-year-old is set to play in his home grand slam for the first time in three years following knee and wrist surgeries that cast serious doubt over whether he would ever be back.

The Aussie will play only his second singles match in 18 months against British No.3 Jacob Fearnley in the Melbourne first round. Kygrios claimed earlier this week that this could be his final Australian Open after suffering career-threatening wrist and knee injuries.

Nick Kyrgios returns to the Australian Open and plays Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in his first match at the tournament in three years. The controversial Australian has been sidelined for most of the past two years following knee and wrist surgeries - and claims the sport has been “mundane” in his absence.