The unfriendly rivalry between Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios will add a second chapter on Friday in Dubai. Kyrgios’ hot streak has carried him into the semifinals as he aims for a second consecutive ATP title.
Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios will be squaring off for the third time in their careers and for the first time since one of the most well-documented incidents in ATP Tour history when they meet again in the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Friday evening.
They faced each other twice last year, the first showdown coming and going without too much bad blood as Wawrinka prevailed 6-3, 6-4 on the grass courts of Queen’s Club. To say things escalated two months later at the Montreal Masters would be a gross understatement. Kyrgios advanced via retirement while leading 6-7(8), 6-3, 4-0, but it was what he famously muttered in Wawrinka’s direction that stole headlines not only in tennis circles but even in the entire sports world.
Kyrgios was hit with a provisional suspension of 28 days and a $25,000 fine that would only take effect only if he incurred more than $5,000 in fines at ATP-sanctioned tournaments in a sixth-month span. Coincidentally, that period ended on Wednesday.
For the most part the 20-year-old has let his game do the talking in 2016. After a relatively disappointing loss to Tomas Berdych in round three of the Australian Open, Kyrgios is a perfect 8-0–and it is Berdych who has felt the brunt of the hot streak. Kyrgios crushed the Czech 6-4, 6-2 in last week’s Marseille semifinals on the way to his first career ATP title and beat Berdych again 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday. The Aussie initially looked like he count not handle another event so soon after his triumph over Marin Cilic last Sunday, as he seemed lifeless for a set and a half against Martin Klizan on Tuesday. But Klizan let him off the ropes and Kyrgios clawed back for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. He did not lose serve a single time against Mikhail Kukushkin or Berdych, meaning the world No. 33 has now progressed through seven of his last eight matches without getting broken.
Wawrinka lost in the Marseille quarterfinals to good friend Benoit Paire, thus denying a potential final collision between Wawrinka and Kyrgios. The fourth-ranked Swiss has bounced back in Dubai with defeats of Sergiy Stakhovsky (5-7, 6-3, 7-5), Franko Skugor (7-5, 6-1), and Philipp Kohlschreiber (7-5, 6-1).
Kyrgios showed signs of a back issue during his quarterfinal defeat of Berdych, but a huge opportunity awaits him if he is 100 percent. In his last four sets, the colorful but controversial character has fired 21 aces while holding all 19 of his service games. Wawrinka, who would much prefer to contest this matchup on a slower surface, has not served at better than 56 percent in any of his three outings this week.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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With Davis Cup looming possibly he is under orders not to continue.
quite possible…
Nope. Own decision.
I may not be a fan of his but I do hope for his sake the back is not a chronic problem but something which can be treated.
Nick retired with back injury? Guess it’s pretty serious. I hope he is ok for Davis cup. Get better Nick. And congrats to Stan on making the final. Title is pretty much his now. Huge for Stanimal.
I had a feeling the back was downplayed after the Berdych win because of how he came out and played afterwards. Good win for Stan! I guess he really wants this Dubai Title considering both Fed and Nole aren’t going to win it. Next year’s draw should be quite interesting if Wawrinka pulls through.
Tough break for Kyrgios. During this run Kyrgios did prove that he has Top 5 Level Talent and that at some point, he’s going to be at least a Semifinalist in an upcoming Major.
Let’s see how this Bagman vs Flo matchup goes! I like Baghdatis’ enthusiasm for this tournament and his beat down of RBA in the second set of their match (6-0) showed me that his conditioning looks to be solid. Baghdatis owns a 3-1 H2H against Feliciano Lopez as well and I think Baghdatis’ return and baseline game will push Flo off of his own.
Baghdatis in 3 with at least one Tiebreaker
The back downplayed after Berdych win – yes – that’s it. Really hope Nick will be okay. (maybe I shouldn’t because it’s US v Aus) But I’m just wanting Nick healthy for IW, Miami and beyond.
Aga, may be out of gas. Big opportunity for Carla Suarez-Navarro possible.
And – go Ostapenko!
The concern is that Kyrgios appears to be having back problems early in his career. I thought he was out at one point last year for back problems. With all of his talent, one would hope that injuries don’t plague him.
Yes indeed, Nny. Not remembering if he had problems last year. Have only been paying more attention to Nick since the Stan incident last summer. I took his side – on the ‘give him a chance team’ and then fell for him watching IPTL and Hopman Cup.
This would be a great opportunity confidence boost for Baghdatis or Lopez. Looks like it’s going to be Deliciano, maybe? or not.
Setdahtis
I think my prediction of feli over Baghdatis in two is coming true. Woohoo!! Vamos Feli!!
I tink you spoke too soon Benny G!!
Yep I did. Baghdatis is gonna win.
Brillant second set between lopez and baghdatis
Baghdatis wants it
Go… Super Marcos go!
Baghdatis in 3!
Such a close match! Oddsmakers were right on the money about this match at 1.9 (-110)! Flo had plenty of opportunities, especially in that second set, but his inability to play off the baseline will always be his downfall. A few years back, I used to remember the ferocity that Baghdatis brought on the court everytime and he used to be 8th in the World at one point! Glad to see the Bagman in fine form once again!