2026 Brisbane International

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Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Kovacevic to spoil Kyrgios' singles return

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Mon. 05 Jan. 2026 22:54

Andrew Hendrie 05 Jan. 2026

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Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios predictions for Tuesday's ATP Brisbane R1
Kyrgios playing first competitive singles match since March 2025
Prediction: Kovacevic's fitness to prove the difference; Over 23.5 total games
The match is scheduled to start around 4.00pm AEDT on Tuesday January 6

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Nick Kyrgios (Photo by Getty Images)

Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Former champion Nick Kyrgios plays his first competitive singles match since March last year when he launches his Brisbane International campaign against Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday inside Pat Rafter Arena.

Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Kovacevic vs Kyrgios Stats & Trends
Kovacevic vs Kyrgios Head To Head
Alexander Kovacevic Form Analysis
Nick Kyrgios Form Analysis
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios Live Stream

Kyrgios has played a bunch of exhibitions over the last few months, including the infamous Battle of the Sexes with Aryna Sabalenka, while he also registered an opening round doubles victory in Brisbane with Thanasi Kokkinakis, so he has got a bit of tennis in the legs heading into this encounter. However, the reality is that Kyrgios is part-time and closer to an influencer than a full-time professional tennis player these days. He's stacking up that cash and planning for the future, which look fair play. But I can't back him in a competitive singles match from what I've seen.

The Aussie was slow, flat and lethargic in that Battle of the Sexes match with Sabalenka and his fitness is always a concern these days. Kovacevic enjoys a big stage and I think the conditions inside Pat Rafter Arena will be to his liking. The American has established himself as a top 100 player and is capable of some big tennis from the back of the court. I think Kyrgios' serve can keep him in this to an extent, but when push comes to shove, Kovacevic has the miles in his legs and should be able to outlast any resistance Kyrgios offers.

Kovacevic vs Kyrgios Stats & Trends

Kyrgios is playing his first competitive singles match since March 2025
Kyrgios went 1-4 at tour-level last season
Kyrgios has seen Over 23.5 games in six of his last seven singles matches in Brisbane
Kovacevic has seen Over 23.5 games in three of his last four matches

Kovacevic vs Kyrgios Head To Head

This will be the first ever meeting between the pair.

Alexander Kovacevic Form Analysis

2025 Record: 13-23
ATP Brisbane Record: 0-0

Kovacevic comes into this tournament ranked at a career-high No. 58 in the world after his best tennis in 2025.

The American made two ATP finals, finishing runner-up in Montpellier and Los Cabos, while he also won two strong Challenger titles in Oeiras and the Dominican Republic.

However, Kovacevic remains one of the more flashier players on tour - when he gets a roll on and generates some momentum, he's very hard to stop, but otherwise he has a tendency to throw in some shocking performances from time to time.

Consistency is no doubt an issue - Kovacevic hasn't won back-to-back tour-level matches since he made the aforementioned Los Cabos final in July. The 27-year-old will be featuring in the Brisbane main draw for the first time after bowing out in qualifying in his only previous appearance in 2024.

Nick Kyrgios Form Analysis

2025 Record: 1-4
ATP Brisbane Record: 5-2

Kyrgios basically hasn't played a full season since 2022, with his body completely failing him amid a host of surgeries.

Now 30 years of age, Kyrgios' best days are clearly behind him and it's now all about putting on a show and drawing ratings - which to be fair, he's still very good at.

The Aussie lost four of his five matches in 2025, but he did play Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard close in the opening round of Brisbane, going down in three tiebreak sets.

Having warmed up for this event by beating Sabalenka in the Battle of the Sexes and partnering Kokkinakis to an opening round doubles win, Kyrgios' preparations are as good as he could have hoped for. Let's see what the 2018 Brisbane champion can do in a competitive singles match.

Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios Live Stream

Watch and bet on Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Nick Kyrgios live Brisbane tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Brisbane with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Aleksandar Kovacevic v Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios is a part-time player and his fitness is always an issue these days - but his serve can keep things relatively close. Backing Kovacevic with Over 23.5 total games.

Kovacevic Win

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Kovacevic & Over 23.5

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