In the same week as his friend Nick Kyrgios was involved in a bitter sledging scandal with Stanislas Wawrinka, Thanasi Kokkinakis almost came to blows with his opponent in Cincinnati.

Kokkinakis and American Ryan Harrison became involved in a heated conversation after their match, which had several flashpoints, forcing the chair umpire and the tournament referee to get between them.

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The New York Times tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg captured the incident on his phone, and said his memory ran out just as Harrison said he should have “decked” Kokkinakis.

“He’s 19. If he wants to get into it, I will bury him,” Harrison said, according to Rothenberg.

“Wawrinka should’ve decked Kyrgios, and I should deck that kid.”

Earlier in the match there was another tense moment, and again the chair umpire had to come between the pair.

Harrison’s annoyance seemed to stem from the Kyrgios-Wawrinka sledge, and he appeared to be taking out his frustrations on Kokkinakis.

“In general, Harrison seemed to be taking out all of his dislike for Kyrgios (and there’s a lot) on Kokkinakis, conflating the two…” Rothenberg wrote on Twitter.

Kokkinakis won the match 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-2).

Harrison received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, prompting Kokkinakis to say: “Should’ve happened a long time ago,” according to Rothenberg.

The Aussie teen then told Harrison: “Don’t sledge me mate, don’t sledge me, it’s not cool.”

In his three-set win over Wawrinka, Kyrgios infamously told the Swiss star: “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend, sorry to tell you that mate.”

Kyrgios was forced to apologise, was fined US$10,000 for the slur and condemned by high-ranking peers including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Harrison was heard sarcastically telling Kokkinakis his “crew is really cool” at the end of the second set.

Davis Cup headache for Masur

In the fall-out from the sledge, Australian Davis Cup captain Wally Masur said Kyrgios was still a part of his plans for Australia’s semi-final tie with Great Britain next month.

But on Sunday, he qualified his statement, saying Kyrgios’ future behaviour was likely to impact his selection.

“No decision has been made on the team yet,” Masur said.

“Misogyny has no place in society and Nick’s comments are incongruous with the standards expected of a professional athlete and a role model in our community.

“Those who have the honour to represent their country must display the highest professional and ethical standards.”

Kokkinakis will continue his effort to qualify for the prestigious US Open lead-up event against Turkish world No.84 Marsel Ilhan.

In the main draw, Kyrgios was handed a rematch with his Wimbledon conqueror Richard Gasquet, while Bernard Tomic will play a qualifier to set up a potential second-round meeting with world No.4 Kei Nishikori.