Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios came within two points of extending their doubles run in Brisbane Wednesday, but an untimely double fault in the match tie-break proved to be a turning point against Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.

Having rallied from a set down, Djokovic and Kyrgios looked headed for the semi-finals before the former World No. 1 pushed for too much on his second serve at 8/6, the beginning of a four-point winning streak by the top seeds to close out the match 6-2 3-6, 10-8.

“Down three points [4/7] in the match tie-break it wasn’t looking great, but somehow we got back in there and Mekta hit a great return on match point,” Venus said.

Mektic, playing his first match of the season and the first match of his new partnership with Venus after 2024 partner Wesley Koolhof retired at the end of the season, said that playing Kyrgios and Djokovic was a perfect and entertaining start to the year for him.

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will play doubles together at the Brisbane International presented by Evie, the tournament confirmed on Saturday morning in Australia.

Kyrgios recently suggested the news on his Instagram account, posting a photo of Djokovic and himself during their 2022 Wimbledon final with the caption: “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there”.

The ATP 250 on Saturday morning posted a graphic of the duo with the caption, “When the plans make it out of the group chat

Kyrgios, the former No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings has grappled with injuries over the past two years, having last competed on the ATP Tour in June 2023. Upon return, the 29-year-old will be eager to return to the form that propelled him to seven singles titles and four doubles crowns throughout his career, including the Australian Open title in 2022 with countryman Thanasi