The pair misplaced the primary set 6-2 however responded effectively to win the second 6-3 to take the match to a deciding first-to-10-points tie-break.
With Djokovic and Kyrgios two factors from victory, a double fault from the Serbian proved pricey at 8-6.
It shifted the momentum of the tie-break again in the direction of Mektic and Venus, who gained the following three factors to seal the win 6-2 3-6 10-8.
“Unimaginable,” Mektic mentioned afterwards. “I used to be very blissful after I noticed them [Djokovic and Kyrgios], I may play them on the primary of January.
“It is an incredible feeling to begin the 12 months like this and we knew there could be factors like that towards gamers like this.”
Djokovic, pursuing his one hundredth profession ATP title, is thru to the quarter-finals of the singles, the place he’ll play France’s Gael Monfils.
