A blockbuster first-round matchup at Queen’s Club will pit Milos Raonic against Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday. In other action, Nicolas Mahut will have had zero days of rest after winning the ‘s-Hertogenbosch title when he faces No. 1 seed Andy Murray.
Nick Kyrgios vs. (3) Milos Raonic
Raonic and Kyrgios will be facing each other for the sixth time in their careers when they meet again round one of the AEGON Championships on Tuesday. Kyrgios is leading the head-to-head series 3-2, but they have split a pair of grass-court encounters. The two huge hitters squared off in consecutive years at Wimbledon, with Raonic getting the job done 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(4) during quarterfinal action in 2014 and Kyrgios prevailing 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-3 in the third round last summer. They most recently battled last month on the clay courts of Rome, where the 21-year-old Australian cruised 7-6(5), 6-3.
Both players are heading to grass on the heels of relatively disappointing French Open campaigns. Raonic was staring at a favorable draw but squandered the opportunity for a deep run by losing to Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the last 16. Still, the Canadian is 27-7 for the season and finds himself inside the top 10 at ninth in the world. Injuries have plagued each man in 2016, but Kyrgios is also going strong. The world No. 19 sports a 23-8 record that has him 12th in the race to London. Kyrgios appears to be the healthier of the two competitors at the moment and he has won three in a row at Raonic’s expense, so a slight upset could be once again in the cards.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
[polldaddy poll=9444734]
(1) Andy Murray vs. Nicolas Mahut
Mahut will be playing on a second consecutive day despite moving from one tournament to another when he gets right back in action on Tuesday at Queen’s Club. The 51st-ranked Frenchman captured the fourth ATP title of his career and his third in the last four years in ‘s-Hertogenbosch when he finished off Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-4 on Monday. Not too surprisingly, all four of Mahut’s titles have come on grass. He almost triumphed at this Queen’s Club event in 2007 but ended up losing to Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(2) in a thrilling final.
Up next for the 34-year-old is a sixth career meeting with Murray, who will be taking the court for the first time since falling to Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros championship match. The second-ranked Scot is leading the head-to-head series 4-1, but his lone loss to Mahut came at this tournament in 2012 (6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(1) in the round of 32). Murray avenged that setback one summer later at Queen’s Club in the form of a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory. The top seed is 25-5 lifetime at Queen’s Club and has lifted the winner’s trophy on four occasions, so an opponent who has to be fatigued both physically and mentally should be no match.
Pick: Murray in 2
[polldaddy poll=9444735]
who ya got?
The young guns (Thiem, Kyrgios, Zverev) can have an impact on this wimbledon. Kyrgios’s fearless attitude makes him most dangerous.
I think Kyrgios / raonic should be a good one. I do think Krygios is healthier right now and might have the edge.
Kyrgios in 3 sets.
Murray should be ready to go at Queens with his new coach.
I think Murray will win in 2 sets.
Murray and Nick.
Murray in two and NK in three
tsame. Andy in 2 and Nick in 3.
Kyrgios in two and Andy in 2… I’m looking forward to watching a great day of tennis with hopefully no rain. Saw Gasquet losing to Johnson… What the…
Bizarre loss
Any hard server in top 100 can win on any day on grass.
Sometimes they just take the racquet out of your hand and there is nothing you can do about it.
I agree with this. A big server has the advantage on grass.
Yeah but Gasquet was up 4-0 in the first on Stevie. Don’t know how Richard lost that set but I’m super happy for Stevie. And I didn’t think he would beat mannarino next but he did. Vamos!!
Yes, I am very happy for Stevie!
Muzza in three after a slow start.
Milosh in three.
#GoCanada
Ed’s gripe for the day. I know Queens does not enforce an all-white code but the majority of players are in white or at least white shorts. Needless to say, not Mr. Kyrgios. And don’t tell me he’s simply expressing his individuality – in my book it’s cocking two fingers at the establishment.
I won’t! I’m just happy it’s sunny there — also wish Margot brings us a full report 🙂
Nick’s going to lose – how I see it atm.
Trying to get used to Raonic without his helmet of gelled hair. lol. How many more people is he going to add to his team as consultants/coaches/advisers? He already has Moya, Lubo, and Piatti. Now he also has McEnroe who was having trouble concentrating during the match last night and kept nodding off to sleep.
#Too many cooks could spoil the broth.
Lubo? If you mean Ljubicic, he’s coaching that Swiss exGOAT-turned-journeyman.
Don’t you? Or do you.
As a Milos fan am thrilled that he beat Nick. I predicted it would be a Raonic win in 3 and that is what took place.
Good for raonic on this win. I am happy to be wrong.
Substance over style. Nothing new.
Another win for Milosh!!!
JMacEra
#CongratsToMe
Serve-bot’ing is everywhere.
Vamos Delpo!
Isner is a pox on the sport of tennis.
LOL!
So is Coco Vandeweghe! Uhgg…
So annoying, when there has been any tennis on TV, ive been working, now im home, its all nearly over, at least i got to see Isner /Delpo, sad Delpo lost, early days i suppose to draw a firm conclusion, but im not seeing / expecting top 10 tennis though im afraid ….
Isner too good. Over 5 sets one would hope these giants drop their level enough and will get broken and lose. But it’s tough for me to not think about Delpo’s wrist when I watch him and worry about that over 5 sets too.
Win or lose, Isner matches are a trial to watch.
Amen!
My heart goes out to Delpo. He’s such a great talent who has been through so much with his wrists.
Yeah i remember Rafas first round match at RG in 2011 against Isner, it still gives me the yips even now, and that marathon match against Mahut urgh never again, hopefully when Delpo plays SW19 he will face some easier opponents, to ease himself through the first few rounds, ones who are not serve bots ….
Alison,
I well remember that match with Rafa and Isner at the 2011 RG! That was beyond nerve wracking!
When it comes to Nick i really wish i liked him, as he has a great all round game, which is a treat on the eyes, just wish he would STFU sometimes and just play tennis, having said that its nice to see players with some personality though from time to time ….
When did Queens start having an all white rule? First time I’ve heard of it.
Verdasco didnt wear all white !….