ZCZC
BSP-20
TENNIS-WTA-HKG-GAVRILOVA
Gavrilova backs Fed after Swiss warns Kyrgios to work harder
HONG KONG, Oct 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s Daria Gavrilova backed
Roger Federer Tuesday after the Swiss great warned temperamental tennis star
Nick Kyrgios he needed to work harder to realise his potential.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion offered the tough love to Kyrgios after
the 23-year-old made yet another contentious exit from the Shanghai Masters
on Monday.
Kyrgios crashed out to 104-ranked American qualifier Bradley Klahn, with
his first-round match marred by a running argument with the chair umpire who
suggested his efforts were “borderline”.
Federer described Kyrgios as “a great player” but added he needed to a
work ethic to go with his talent.
Gavrilova, the second-ranked Australian woman, said: “I’m pretty sure
Roger is spot on.”
She added: “(Kyrgios) is definitely one of the most talented players out
there and I love watching him.
“I don’t know what happened in Shanghai but … hopefully he can make a
breakthrough and win a few slams.”
The Russian-born Aussie, back at the Hong Kong Open after losing last
year’s typhoon-delayed final, added of her compatriot: “He’s different, he
plays different and I guess when you come to watch him you never know what’s
going to happen.”
Gavrilova, the world number 34 who is seeded seventh at the Hong Kong
Open, booked her place in the second round after a fiery three-set victory
over the Kazakh Zarina Diyas.
The Australian queried a number of debatable line calls, at one point
channelling her inner John McEnroe as she yelled at the chair umpire: “You
can’t be serious!”
But she raised her game after losing the first set to prevail 3-6, 7-5, 6-
1.
The win continues an impressive run of recent form in Asia for the 24
year-old, who beat world number 18 Jelena Ostapenko in Wuhan and stunned
world number seven Petra Kvitova in Beijing.
Despite last year’s final ending in the early hours in front of just a
handful of bedraggled spectators, she insisted she has good memories of the
tournament.
“I love coming back here,” she smiled.
Later Tuesday Chinese number one Wang Qiang, currently enjoying the
hottest streak of her career, cruised to a straightforward 6-0, 6-2 victory
over Hong Kong’s Zhang Ling.
Wang, who recorded impressive wins over Jelena Ostapenko and Karolina
Pliskova en route to the China Open semis, is even being touted as a
potential successor to double Grand Slam champion and China tennis icon Li
Na.
After her latest win Wang said she was playing the best tennis of her
career, adding she felt more “confidence” on court and was hitting the ball
more aggressively.
Japan’s Nao Hibino, ranked 125 in the world, bundled out 2011 US Open
champion Samantha Stosur in straight sets. The Australian, who is still
ranked 69, went down 3-6, 3-6.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1828HRS