LONDON: Nick Kyrgios produced a serving masterclass during a hard-fought 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3, win over seventh seed Kyle Edmund at The Fever-Tree Championships.
The 23-year-old held his nerve to prevail against the British No.1 in what was a match of fine margins. Kyrgios produced a total of 32 aces and claimed 88% of the point behind his first serve. Furthermore, he also produced 47 winners to 30 unforced errors. Securing back-to-back wins at The Queen’s Club for the first time in his career.
“I thought it was a pretty high-level match from both players. Obviously I served really, really well. I found my rhythm quite early.” Said Kyrgios.
“I got a lucky break in the third set. He made a couple loose errors, and that was pretty much all that was in it.” He added.
It appeared that a casual looking Kyrgios felt little pressure throughout the second round encounter. During the warm-up he decided to experiment with a couple of tweener shots. Following on from that he had a light-hearted exchange with a member of the crowd who caught one of the balls. Throwing another ball at them after.
Fan makes great catch of ball in crowd Kyrgios applaudes, throws him another ball which he catches again Kyrgios laughs…NK tosses him another ball after next point which he drops….Great exchange #ATP #QueensTennis
— John Horn (@SportsHorn) June 21, 2018
Then, as the opening set went into the business end, the Australian decided to first-pump with one of the ball kids during one of the changeovers.
Regardless of Kyrgios’ unorthodox antics, he was able to stand firm behind his serve. Something that home favorite Edmund also exceeded at most of the time. During the opening set, there was little disparity between the two players. Who both won more than 90% behind their first serve. The only thing that separated the two was an unforced error from Kyle Edmund in the tiebreaker that elevated Kyrgios to a 2-1 lead. The mistake from the Brit was fatal to his first set hopes as Kyrgios surged to a trio of set points. Converting his first with the help of a blistering passing-shot.
An almost identical storyline formed in the second set with both players holding firm behind their serves. Edmund was the first to feel the heat after fending off a break point to nudge ahead 5-4. Only for Kyrgios to draw level at 5-5 with the help of another straightforward service game. The chances continued to come and go for the Australian, but this time it was Edmund’s turn to capitalize in the tiebreaker. After seeing a 4-0 lead come and go, the world No.17 punished a tentative Kyrgios drop shot with a passing winner. Giving him his first set point, which he converted to take the match into a decider.
Despite the blip, Kyrgios responded in typical fashion for him. Winning the opening game of the decider with a tweener lob. Earning cheers from the crowd in London. Continuing to apply the pressure onto Edmund, he finally secured the first break of the entire match to move ahead 3-1. Even signs of pain on the left side of his body failed to derail the Australian as he secured victory after 133 minutes of play. Hitting a double-handed backhand down the line on his second match point.
“I feel pretty good. I got a bit tight towards the end of the match, which is normal. I haven’t played a lot of matches in the last couple of months.” Said Kyrgios. “When I’m serving out a match, we have been playing for a couple hours and level has been pretty good, I got pretty tight.”
No regrets over swearing controversy
After his win, Kyrgios has been criticised by some for his behaviour on the court.Throughout the match he was hear swearing out loud repeatedly. When challenged about his verbal behaviour in his press conference, the world No.21 hit back at his critics.
JOURNALIST: There was a point earlier in the match when you let out a swear word and then you apologized to the people at the side of the court, but then at the end — well, is that something you’d like to keep more under control or does it not bother you?
NICK KYRGIOS: Do you swear?
JOURNALIST: Well…
NICK KYRGIOS: No, do you swear? Yes or no? Yes or no? Do you swear? Do you swear?
JOURNALIST:I have been known to.
NICK KYRGIOS: Okay, great. Good question.
JOURNALIST:How do you feel the BBC had to apologize on air today about your language? How does that make you feel?
NICK KYRGIOS: Fine. I don’t care.
Kyrgios, who plays Feliciano Lopez next, will take on Edmund for a second time later today at Queen’s. The duo will lock horns in the doubles draw. Kyrgios will play alongside Lleyton Hewitt and Edmund is paired with Neal Skupski.
