Top 5 matches of the 2014 Australian Open

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Benoit Paire of France hugs Nick Kyrgios of Australia after winning their second round match

3. Nick Kyrgios vs Benoit Paire in the 2nd round

In one of the most gruelling encounters of this year’s Open, Frenchman Benoit Paire beat Nick Kyrgios in five tough sets to advance to Round 3. The Frenchman squandered set points in the first set and soon found himself two sets to love down. However, amidst long rallies and powerful winners, Paire displayed glimpses of breathtaking tennis to win the third set.

The 18-year-old Kyrgios found himself cramping in the fourth, and fatigue got the better of him as he produced a string of errors to force the match into the deciding set. The match proved to be an exciting contest between the local teenager and France’s upcoming talent, both of whom showed great promise for the futue.

Paire ultimately staged a dramatic fightback to beat Australia’s last man standing in front of a vociferous crowd at the Margaret Court Arena, in a match that went past midnight.