MONTREAL/STARNBERG, August 12, 2022
Nick Kyrgios backed up his run to the Wimbledon final in June in style last week at the Citi Open in Washington, becoming the first man to sweep the singles and doubles titles in the tournament’s 53-year history. “I think you have a small window after a Grand Slam that people kind of fear you before they step out on the court,” said the Australian. “I feel like I made the most of it this week.”
Kyrgios is now looking to maintain that title-winning feeling in Montreal at this week’s National Bank Open Presented by Rogers. The World No. 37 edged out Daniil Medvedev of Russia, top seed of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal, in three sets in Wednesday’s second round and beat his compatriot Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday. Kyrgios struck eight aces and won 78 per cent of his first-service points to advance in only 62 minutes.
A Kyrgi-diculous performance 😲@NickKyrgios defeats De Minaur 6-2 6-3 and is 21-3 since June!#OBN22 pic.twitter.com/7icinULMDi
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 11, 2022
“Incredibly tough after yesterday’s big high, playing Daniil, and the crowd was amazing. It was a day I’ll probably never ever forget,” Kyrgios said of his win over the World No. 1.
“Today was really hard mentally for me to go out here and play Alex,” the Canberra native continued. “We’re such good friends and he’s been having such a good career so far and carrying the Australian flag for so long. It was just tough mentally. It’s never easy to play a player like that, especially if they’re Australian.
“I just got out here and got the job done. I played the way I had to play. He’s a hell of a player. If you play to his strengths, he’s one of the best players we have in the game and he’s so fast. He’s going to have a hell of a career.”
Up next for Kyrgios will be No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz from Poland, who fought past Spanish veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(3) in two hours and 25 minutes.
In other action, Casper Ruud rallied from a set down to overcome Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4. The fourth-seeded Norwegian won two points more than his rival to prevail after three hours and 18 minutes. Ruud will next take on home favourite and No. 6 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 12 minutes.
In the bottom half of the draw, Pablo Carreno Busta from Spain plays British qualifier Jack Draper in the stage of the last eight. Daniel Evans from Great Britain will take on US-American Tommy Paul.
Only one former ATP Masters 1000 champion remains! 👀#obn22 pic.twitter.com/N6RsthUMVD
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2022
