Nick Kyrgios pitted against good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in US Open first round

• Australian doubles partners drawn against each other
• Pair have never played each other before on main tour

Nick Kyrgios has been handed a heart-pulling first-round encounter at the US Open, drawn against his great friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in an all-Australian blockbuster. And in a Flushing Meadows men's field without Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal will open his bid for a 23rd grand slam title against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata when the main draw kicks off next week.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis - the Special Ks" when they play together as a doubles team - have been pitted against each other in a tough quarter, which also features Russia's No 1 seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev.