You never know when Nick Kyrgios is going to go from zero to hero. You also never know when he is going to go from hero to zero.
At the start of this season, Kyrgios–from pretty much out of nowhere–trended in the positive direction. He captured the Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis and then made a run to the Indian Wells quarterfinals, losing only to Rafael Nadal in a three-set thriller.
The Miami Open started out just as impressively. The 26-year-old dominated his way into the fourth round, complete with a 6-3, 6-0 blowout of Andrey Rublev. He looked as motivated as ever.
But for no apparent reason, the other side of Kyrgios showed itself on Tuesday afternoon. Seething at chair umpire Carlos Bernardes from the start, complaining about the difference in playing conditions between the stadium (where he won his first three matches) and the Grandstand (where he found himself on Tuesday), and facing an opponent whose serve he could not break, the Aussie imploded en route to a 7-6(3), 6-3 loss at the hands of Jannik Sinner.
Despite a whole host of mental meltdowns, Kyrgios’ game never really went away. The world No. 102 did not drop serve a single time, but he lost the first-set tiebreaker in part because of a point penalty and then incurred a game penalty at the end of the set for destroying a racket–his third code violation of the match. Since Kyrgios was supposed to start the second set serving, that gave Sinner a break.
It might as well have been all but over right then and there, because the 11th-ranked Italian held serve the entire way. Kyrgios never had a chance to get back in it, and Sinner ended it in style with an insurance break at 5-3.
“Today I raised a little bit my level,” said Sinner, who needed to save a combined eight match points against Emil Ruusuvuori and Pablo Carreno Busta in his first two Miami matches. “I had to, because he’s a very aggressive player, especially when he serves well. I’m very happy about my performance today…. I think he’s very solid on his backhand, which he plays very, very flat. I tried to somehow move him a little bit, trying to make him a little bit off balance–especially trying to get as many balls in return games in the court, which today I think I did very well.”
Of course, the best thing Sinner did was stay composed. While Kyrgios went crazy, the 20-year-old basically didn’t say a word the whole afternoon.
Sinner’s well-deserved reward is a Wednesday matchup with surprise quarterfinalist Francisco Cerundolo.
nice one, Sinner
But only yesterday you were calling the young Italian a “damp squid”? Make up your minds Americans.
Kecmanovic achieved and important win, also. I could see that coming a mile away because Kecmanovic actually improved since IW while Fritz had gone off the boil a bit. It’s a shame that you chose to ignore that and let bias take over, as you do.
It was only the other day and last month, and last year that you were Kyrgios’ biggest fan, as well. Doesn’t take much for you turn against someone. It’s a bit superficial to praise people when their winning and then kick them as soon as they started losing.
Nick, you played a great match; you were hitting the ball extremely well. It was just one of those days where everything and everyone turns against you.
Nice predictions also Ricky; 50% is solid for someone that operates a sports prediction site.
Too bad you know so little. It is quite obvious. Kyrgios should not even be playing in professional tennis. His behavior is behind appalling. When was Kyrgios winning? He is currently ranked #102! They guy can’t keep it together long enough to win at all!
But being the troll that you are, you just take the opposite point of view. Stirring the pot without making a bit of sense. Kyrgios is responsible for his troubles. No one else.
I think Ricky has done just fine. At least he knows what he is talking about. I respect that. Maybe you should.
BEYOND appalling!
Well done Jannick- Mr Cool!
Sinner kept his cool…got the W….and he’ll win again in 2.