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 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.

Mats Wilander believes Nick Kyrgios has the capability of causing a 'big upset' in the Australian Open, but has raised concerns about the Aussie star's fitness. Kyrgios' first-round match against Jacob Fearnley next week will be his first match in a major tournament in over two years.