Nick Kyrgios moped around through four matches against opponents outside the top 30 of the rankings earlier this season. He managed to win two of them but did not look interested or play well on any of those occasions.
Playing in the same tournament as world No. 2 and 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Kyrgios. After defeating Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-5 with an inspired performance in round one of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, the 23-year-old explained it by saying, “I saw Nadal ahead in the draw.”
Kyrgios’ reward did, in fact, turn out to be a sixth career showdown against the Spaniard on Wednesday night in Acapulco. Unsurprisingly, the mercurial Australian rose to the occasion. Kyrgios recovered from a set deficit and from what appeared to be various physical problems to save three match points and stun Nadal 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6) in a roller-coaster, somewhat bizarre thriller that lasted three hours and three minutes.
Seemingly down and out both mentally and physically early in the second set, Kyrgios later found himself on the brink of defeat once again trailing 6-3 in the third-set tiebreaker. But he saved one match point with a drop-shot, another with a drop-volley off the net cord, and a third when Nadal just barely missed a backhand pass. It ended two points later when the top seed erred on another backhand that sailed just over the baseline.
“It’s massive,” Kyrgios assured. “I’ve struggled a lot this year, so to be able to put in a performance like that against the No. 1 seed is pretty special. The level of tennis I played today is a good test for my body [and] just the way I competed, I left it all out there…. It’s a massive confidence boost for me.”
There was no love lost in that contest and there will be even less lost in the world No. 72’s quarterfinal contest against Stan Wawrinka on Thursday. Their contentious rivalry is led 3-2 by the Swiss.
“It’s going to be incredibly tough,” Kyrgios assessed. “Another multiple Grand Slam champion who knows how to win matches. It looks like he’s coming into form again. His one-handed backhand is one of the best ever in the game (and) he’s a great competitor.“
After downing Nadal, Kyrgios posted that he “can smell the blood when I play this dude.” You can bet he smells it again for Wawrinka.
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welp
Saw 2nd set last night, inc tb, and Kyrios was amazing in the tb…will watch 3rd set on tivo today (Th)….and Wka restores order…in straight.
I’m no expert but I thinks it’s going to be hard for Nick to find both the mental and physical strength to get past Stan. Stan is in great form, well-rested after two straight set matches and you know he hates Nick due to the bad blood between them.
Agree. I might even have to watch this one. Well, maybe highlights. I swore off Kyrgios matches after watching him ‘play’ the 2017 Beijing final v Nadal. Really glad I did not watch last night’s fiasco.
Everyone hates the waste of a tennis player. Total trash
That was quite interesting. Nick played well off and on to win the match and I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Nadal so angry before. See what happens tonight
Nick complained about Nadal constantly taking too long to serve and used “F’ words during the match. As usual, Nick is a drama queen. I am not a fan of Nadal but Nick is a piece of shit even he did beat Nadan. TBH, he was lucky to win.
waste of talent
The guy just wants some attention, the young player De Minaur has been given so much attention these days that Kyrgios may be feeling left out. Nobody talks about Kyrgios these days hence he’s making full use of this opportunity, against Rafa, to stir the pot and create some sensation and gets back some attention. If it’s a low ranked opponent he’s facing, he would’ve retired or tanked to lose easily.
I remember I said before, that Kyrgios may be more talented than any of the big four (I include Murray here) because of the shots he could make. I now feel that no, that’s not the case. Had the big four all gone out there and played freely the way Kyrgios did, I doubt they could not produce shots like Kyrgios’ or even better. It’s just that they’re not going to jeopardise their career playing like that, they would want a consistently great career, rather than going for flamboyance and attention for temporary glory but gain nothing else out of their career.
I doubt that IF Kyrgios, in the unlikely scenario, decides to be serious with his career, could still play this way to get any success. Sasha Zverev has shown that a more consistent approach is > Kyrgios’ flamboyant approach. I’m just glad that my fave player from the next gen, ie Tsitsipas, comes with the right attitude, plays consistently well and with plenty of flair! He doesn’t need Kyrgios’ attention seeking flamboyance and yet he (Tsitsipas) has all the attention and takes them positively.
Ozzie played a great match. Nadull is still hurting from the final with Djokovic. He is all over the place mentally.
I see Stan does what Rafa couldn’t do, ie wins the TB when he’s 6-3 up! Come on Stan, beat the spoilt brat now.
Will be nice if Stan can win the title here, that’ll add 500 points to his ranking points with a good leap in the rankings.
Luckystar MARCH 1, 2019 AT 4:23 AM,
You jumped on Wawrinka’s bandwaggon too soon. 🙂
Yeah, I thought he’s back to his best, apparently not yet.
Funny how everytime Nadal loses its turned into a drama by some posters, he will retire, hes not the same player blahdy blah, well of course hes not the same player, yet Murray has a career threatening injury, and you here hope he will come back etc etc, the difference is Murray really is suffering a career threatening injury, Nadal is still ranked number two, and has made the final of the first GS of the year, oh well same as ever, scratches head :-/