Nick Kyrgios called his US Open first-round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis 'the most uncomfortable match in his career' as he came through in straight sets to progress at Flushing Meadows.

The doubles partners and great friends were forced to face off for the first time late on Monday evening.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis shot to doubles stardom at the Australian Open earlier this year by winning the tournament.

Meeting for the first time as individual competitors, the former was considered a heavy favourite against the world no 70.

Despite powering all the way to the Wimbledon final last month, Kyrgios went into the US Open as the 23rd seed but many expect him to go on another barnstorming run.

He wasted no time in dispatching Kokkinakis with a routine 6-3 6-4 7-6 win to get his campaign underway, although he later explained that the mental battle was anything but straightforward.

"When we both saw the draw, it was a nightmare, honestly. I feel like there's probably two players - two or three players - that after tennis I'm probably going to stay in contact with till I probably die, to be honest.

While Kyrgios' fans will keep fingers crossed that he can replicate the success he found at Wimbledon, the 27-year-old himself claims that he 'can't wait for the US Open to be over' so that he can return home to Australia.

Kyrgios will face Benjamin Bonzi in a bid to continue his US Open run and, given the Frenchman has never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam, the Aussie may well fancy his chances.