MADRID: The eagerly awaited Thursday night clash at the Caja Magica turned into the Rafael Nadal show as the home favourite disposed of a sluggish Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-1, in the third round of the Madrid Open.
Pundits around the world tipped the match to be one of the best with the king of clay playing against one of the rising stars of the sport. In reality, Nadal’s power and precision bullied the below-par Australian around the court and prevented him from seeking any momentum.
A double break in favour of the nine-time grand slam champion was enough to reward him the opening set. The inconsistency of Kyrgios’ play was highlighted towards the end of that set. A forehand shank, followed by a disastrous drop-shout granted Nadal his first two set points before Kyrgios’ serve came to the rescue. Nevertheless, the damage was already done. A forehand cross-court winner moved the fourth seed to a 6-3 lead.
From that moment on, it was a one-way route for the Spaniard. Kyrgios, who appeared to be experiencing discomfort with his left hip, continued to fade into the background. Every question the Australian came up with was answered with interest by Nadal. The situation proved too overwhelming for a weary Kyrgios, who was seen seemingly crying into a towel during one of his changeovers. Closing the match out, a scorching winner down the line elevated Nadal to a trio of match points before sealing the match thanks to error No.27 from his lacklustre rival.
“I think I played really well tonight. Since the beginning of the match, I committed just a few errors. I think I returned the ball very well, even better than normally.” Said Nadal.
“I think it’s not normal to win against an opponent like this because Nick is a really good opponent.” He later added.
Nadal’s reward with be a quarter-final clash against Belgium’s David Goffin. Goffin dismissed Milos Raonic in his third round match. It will be the second clash between the two this season after Nadal rushed to a straight sets triumph in Monte Carlo.
“David is a complete player. He has all the shots. The conditions here are completely different than the rest of the Masters 1000s or the rest of the tournaments on clay. Anything can happen.” A reflective Nadal evaluated.
Kyrgios is down, but not out
Dealing with defeat in Madrid, Nick Kyrgios refuses to let it get him down. Earlier this week he admitted that there was more to life than tennis. The comments occurred a week after his grandfather passed away, resulting in his absence from the Estoril Open.
“I haven’t had the best preparations coming into this tournament. I mean, I didn’t really train for a week and a half before this tournament. So to even come here and win a couple rounds. I wasn’t expecting myself to play well this week at all.” The maturing 22-year-old said.
Regardless of his personal events, a clash with Nadal on his beloved clay was never going to be easy. Kyrgios once described the Spaniard as ‘the greatest player ever’ on the clay. With such respect for a player, facing them is never easy.
“It’s tough. Especially on this surface, I mean, it’s like a mental thing. I played him on grass. I feel like that’s where I’m more comfortable. I guess that’s my clay, if you could put it in those words. I felt comfortable when I played him on the grass.”He explained.
Sometimes losses can make a player stronger and this could be applied to Kyrgios this week. He admits that he is currently ‘learning to be a good ambassador’ and this could elevate him to greater things.
