Nick Kyrgios will get right back in action following his title run in Marseille when he takes the court against Martin Klizan on Tuesday in Dubai. First-round action is also wrapping up with Stan Wawrinka vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky.
(7) Martin Klizan vs. Nick Kyrgios
The two most recent champions on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean will be going head-to-head when Klizan and Kyrgios square off for the first time in their careers on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Klizan went on an improbable run to the Rotterdam title two weeks ago, saving match points against Roberto Bautista Agut and Nicolas Mahut before coming back from a set down to upset Gael Monfils in the final. The Slovak is up to No. 24 in the world, which earned him the No. 7 seed in Dubai.
Kyrgios endured no such marathons en route to his first-ever winner’s trophy last week in Marseille, as the 20-year-old Australian completely dominated the field. He held all 47 of his service games and was pushed only to one tiebreaker by Marin Cilic in the championship match. Kyrgios preceded that result with beatdowns of Vasek Pospisil, Teymuraz Gabashvili, Richard Gasquet, and Tomas Berdych. The minimal time spent on court should help the world No. 33 maintain his energy and momentum in Dubai. Moreover, Klizan would prefer a slower surface on which to contest this matchup.
Pick: Kyrgios in 2
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Sergiy Stakhovsky vs. (2) Stan Wawrinka
It will be a rematch of an entertaining contest from last week in Marseille when Wawrinka and Stakhovsky meet again on Tuesday. Wawrinka took a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series when he saved two match points to survive 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(8) and reach the quarterfinals. The two veterans previously faced each other at that same Marseille event in 2015, when Stakhovsky pulled off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 upset. Wawrinka’s first win over the Ukrainian came in the form of a 6-7(6), 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-2 decision at the 2012 U.S. Open.
The fourth-ranked Swiss could really use a confidence-building result in advance of more important tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. Since capturing a fourth straight title in Chennai, he has suffered final-set losses to Milos Raonic in the fourth round of the Australian Open and to Benoit Paire in the Marseille quarters. Stakhovsky has not defeated anyone other than Wawrinka this season, as the world No. 92 is saddled with a disappointing 1-4 record. This will be an even tougher test for the underdog because he does his best work on either grass of fast indoor hard courts. The Dubai surface appears to be playing on the quick side, but it should still help Wawrinka finish the job in simpler fashion that what transpired last week.
Pick: Wawrinka in 2
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Waiting…
waiting to make play the Acapulco game until this Kleeze – Koolio match plays out.
It’s my theory that DC is affecting the minds and behavior of some. Even so, I’d think Koolio would at least win a couple matches. Not sure about Bernard and Groth. Thinking too much again?
This is getting messy lol. Feels like I’m watching a WTA match with all these breaks
Feeling better about my Acapulco WTA picks than ATP today. But I’ve been bracket picking WTA for fun for 2 years and enjoy following. My WTA GS brackets last year, particularly early rounds, were generally better than ATP. Gosh, I wish I woulda been smart enough to put “units” on Vinci. Or, Kerber.
Looks like Kyrgios is on track to win this. Pretty much his to lose now
Bizarre
Klizan just wants to go home and forget this match.
He’s too mellow today, Kleeze. Some antics would be timely. It’s no too late. He’s catching up, maybe.
Just want Koolio to maintain his cool.
I only got up to and watched the final set was kyrgios fatigued or just not playing well. I know Klizan imploded in the third so that doesn’t give me info on the 1st and 2nd set.
Kyrgios tanked the 1st. Tried to tank the 2nd but Klizan wouldn’t let him. Once Kyrgios realized that Klizan was about to give him a set for free, he decided to win the whole match.
Agree. It was too easy not to win in the end.
I’m allergic to Mr.K so don’t often watch his matches. I guess I’m the wrong age, the wrong sex, and the wrong nationality but I struggle to find any redeeming features and to understand why the tennis world is fascinated by him and hail him as being so good for the game.
the tennis world does not
Andy Murray, John McEnroe and Jon Wertheim all think that he’s good for the game.
Are they not part of the tennis world?
Give him a chance, ed. 😉
He has calmed down. And he’s a team player. I suspect he’ll shine in the upcoming Davis Cup. I like to read his twitter (though in general resist twitter and don’t have an accout myself…yet) to get a sense of where he’s going. He’s sincerely proud and possibly relieved to be included by Lleyton Hewitt.
Why is the above comment under moderation? Is it not allowed to be critical of Kyrgios
it isn’t anymore. something is messed up with your username.
LOL Kyrgios being tr_lled on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/WeAreTennisFR/status/702198147208994816
CryBaby LOL…
https://twitter.com/WeAreTennisFR/status/702186676903399424
#MirkasRight
Stan the Man!
So it appears that Kyrgios did get the win in the end. Maybe there is some fatigue setting in now.
My theory, Nny, (loosely using the word theory), is that Kyrgios does have his mind on DC. But he’s not as single-minded as say, Andy Murray at Wimbles and USO last summer. I’d pick him another match because it’s Kukushkin. But likely Berdych will be after that – again, like today v Klizan, if Berdych practically hands him the match, he’ll take it but don’t see Kyrgios fighting for it.
great to see Nick wining again! I was worried he would be too distracted by wining his first trophy but he managed to beat annoying Klizan and I am so happy for him!
Nick should not be tired IMO…his matches are not taxing on his body, thanks to his superb serve…I would love to see him playing Wawa and beating him! 🙂
Ricky,
if Nick by any chance reaches the final and manages to test Novak (I do not think he can beat Novak, not just yet :-)) do you think he deserves his own page here? Nick is young and he definitely reads the forums about him! I would love him to see that he has fans around the world who do believe in him!
“too distracted” would be an understatement
but he somehow recovered to win
i’ll make pages for everyone soon
great! thanks!
Nats: I have the greatest respect for your knowledge of the game and always enjoy our exchanges. But I’m amazed at your proposal NK should be given his own thread – on what basis? Winning his first ATP 250 title and causing some some high profile upsets?
btw: I’m assuming Ricky had his tongue in his cheek at 10.13pm
Ah! That; makes sense.
I thought he was kyrgios.
I mean serious.
Definitely need pages for Dreddy and la Monf. Maybe a young guns page?
Vote for young gun page. Ricky’s democracy of Tenngrand 🙂 Fair election process.
I just watched some highlights. Klizan played last shot right handed. ????
I vined it.
https://vine.co/v/irV0lFm3wA0
WaWa eked out the win. Just. Not sure it will have down a lot for his confidence and ego though.
At least Klizan took a set off Kyrgios (which is more than anyone else managed last week) before caving in mentally.
Have just re-watched the replay of the lst set and concur with Ricky’s view Kyrgios tanked it.
Gamesmanship?
^^ Bloody auto correct on overdrive at 8.56
ed, I know you don’t like Nick, but you will have to get used to him…he is here to stay… 🙂
Let’s go NIck!!!!
I know!
I’ll try to ‘put up or shut up’ otherwise it gets tedious for the rest of you 🙂
🙂 no ed, it’s fine really…I understand your skepticism about Kyrgios…he has done a lot to “deserve” such attitude and distrust of fans…but I believe in him changing…I may as well be wrong…but what’s true is that his talent is remarkable…when I come to think what he would be able to achieve if disciplined and serious in business…and he does not even have a coach ATM…
Annabel Croft was commentating his match and I had the distinct impression she is not bowled over by him. She is too good a commentator to voice her real thoughts but the space between her words speak volumes.
There is no argument he has formidable talent. Only time will tell if it can be channelled to produce the commensurae results or if he will self combust ala Safin.