Nick Kyrgios has defied the waft of cannabis, a stubborn opponent and a non-conforming box to progress to the US Open third round at Flushing Meadows.

It was hardly a smoking performance but Kyrgios did enough to hold off Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 4-6 6-4 and join Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur in the last 32.

It was anything but straightforward, with Kyrgios needing 30 aces and “some really risky tennis” late in the fourth set to prevail.

Australian basketballer Ben Simmons was a guest in the house as NBA lover Kyrgios engaged in what has become a customary verbal battle with his entourage, at one point saying they “may as well go home”.

The combustible Canberran accused his support network “for some sick reason” of falling asleep late in the third set, demanding they be more vocal.

He also spat on the court in frustration and received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct in a tense affair against a rising talent who caught the Wimbledon finalist off guard.

“His level today was incredible. I was not expecting an absolute war,” Kyrgios said.

“I played some really risky tennis in the fourth set to get through. I was literally hanging by a thread.”

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Kyrgios was agitated throughout the match. But it reached a peak midway through the second set when he complained to the chair umpire to do something about apparent pot-smoking spectators.

Marjiuana was legalised in New York last September but Kyrgios made it clear the dirty habit wasn’t welcome at the Open.

“Obviously when athletes are running side to side and they have asthma already, it’s obviously not ideal,” he moaned to the courtside official, who wasn’t immediately clear what Kyrgios was talking about.

“Obviously I’m not going to complain about food smell. It was f—ing marijuana.”

Spanish umpire Jaume Campistol asked fans “as a courtesy to the players, please refrain from smoking around the court”.

Kyrgios duly fired up to grab the lone break of the second set in the 10th game to seemingly seize control.

But he threatened to completely unravel after losing the third set and falling a break behind in the fourth.

The world No.23 knuckled back down, though, to win four of the next five games to take the match in a tick under three hours.

He next plays American wildcard J.J. Wolf on Friday (Saturday AEST) for a spot in the second week in New York for the first time.

“It has been a really stressful time. Me and my team have high expectations to go deep this week and I am just glad I got through,” Kyrgios said, adding that being a grand slam finalist was only adding to the pressure.

“Every tournament I play I am expecting to play amazing tennis.

“Compared to last year, I feel like I am playing some of the best tennis in my life and that is down to a lot of things, but I am happy.”

De Minaur earlier avenged a gut-wrenching five-set Wimbledon loss to Cristian Garin with a 6-3 6-0 4-6 6-2 defeat of the Chilean, while Jason Kubler completed a rain-interrupted 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 first-round victory over Swede Mikael Ymer.

But Jordan Thompson bowed out with a 6-3 2-6 3-6 6-4 6-3 second-round loss to Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahl Galan.

Serena scores in Open thriller

Kyrgios’ victory was followed by Serena Williams turning back the clock to stun second-seed Anett Kontaveit and move into the third round of the US Open.

Putting her retirement plans on pause, the 40-year-old American’s relentless will to win was on full display during an absorbing two hour 27 minute contest of unexpected high-quality, breathless intensity and drama.

Williams had signalled her intention to retire earlier this month, saying she was “evolving away from tennis”. But any farewell has been put on hold with Williams back on centre court on Thursday for a doubles match with older sister Venus.

Then a third-round clash with Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic awaits on Saturday.

“It’s no rush here. I’m loving this crowd. There’s still a little left in me. We’ll see. I’m a pretty good player, this is what I do best. I love a challenge and I’m rising to the challenge,” Williams said.

“I haven’t played many matches, but I’ve been practising really well. The last couple of matches it’s come together. After I lost the second set I thought, ‘I’ve got to give my best effort because this could be it’.

“I’m just looking at it as a bonus. I don’t have anything to lose. I’ve had an X on my back since 1999. I really enjoy just coming out and enjoying it.”

After pulling out a tight first set, then faltering a bit in the second, Williams headed to the locker room for a bit of a break before the third.

When play resumed, it was the 23-times grand slam winner who lifted her level and emerged as the better player.

– AAP