Nick Kyrgios fought back from a set down to edge seventh-seed Martin Klizan 3-6 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 31 minutes in the first round at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships just two days after defeating Marin Cilic in the ATP 250 in Marseille.
Kyrgios found the transition from indoor conditions in Marseille to the outdoors in Dubai difficult during the first set. Klizan broke serve at the start of the first set en route to winning it 6-3 in 28 minutes. Kyrgios fought back breaking serve but he could not hold his serve. Kyrgios got another break but Klizan broke again in the fifth game for 2-3 and held his service game to love to draw level to 3-3. Kyrgios got another break to take a 5-3 lead and closed out the second set 6-3 with a backhand and an ace forcing the match to the decider.
Kyrgios got a double break in the first and in the third games of the third set before Klizan got one break back in the fourth game. Kyrgios broke to love in the seventh game before serving out for the match in one hour and 31 minutes.
Kyrgios has extended his win-loss record to 8-1 this year. He suffered his only defeat against Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open last January.
“I only arrived this morning and I was not feeling 100 percent. The conditions are so different here. The balls really fly. It was a really tough match against a form player and I am just happy I got through. Both of us were playing really average today. I thought we both struggled with the conditions. I barely hit at all here, maybe half an hour today”, said Kyrgios
Kyrgios will face Mikhail Kukushkin for a spot in the quarter finals.
“He is going to be another tough opponent. He is a veteran and I know it is going to be tough but I will be there tomorrow”, said Kyrgios.
