‘Really uncomfortable’: Nick Kyrgios beats good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis at US Open

• Kyrgios wins all-Australian first-round clash 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
• I don't want to do that again, to be honest,' says 23rd seed

As Nick Kyrgios produced a performance as sparkling as the necklace he wore reflecting the big city lights of New York on Monday night, it was difficult to believe he felt disconcerted. The Australian performed with a sizzle ideal for a historic occasion, playing with the panache of a matinee idol in complete control of the silver screen in his clash against Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The pending retirement of Serena Williams had drawn a record crowd to the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre and the opening act in the farewell to an American icon drew rave reviews. Routinely a showstopper for performances straying from the sublime to surreal, Kyrgios was instead cast as the best supporting actor for the most stellar of New York opening nights.