MONTREAL, Aug 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Nick Kyrgios crashed back to earth with
a first-round loss at the ATP Montreal Masters on Tuesday, a 6-3, 6-4 victim
Briton Kyle Edmund.
Two days after winning the ATP 500 series title in Washington with a burst
of consistent form, the Australian court jester was unable to maintain
momentum in a match delayed for 90 minutes in the second set by light rain.
“I’m a little bit tired. Physically I actually feel like I’m OK,” Kyrgios
said after losing in 67 minutes of actual play.
“Kyle played well, served well and didn’t really give me any rhythm into
the match at all.”
Kyrgios, who has come under fire for his inconsistency, said he was trying
to “get to a period where I can be consistent and try to bring my game every
week.
“Tonight was challenging, I was actually really looking forward to
playing,” he added. “But I just got beaten by a better player today.”
Edmund, who won the opening set and stood 4-all in the second when players
returned to the court, broke immediately and served out victory.
“It felt good,” he said after striking 35 winners to 14 for Kyrgios. “He’s
a tricky player.
“I was watching for his underarm serve and he bluffed me once on that.
“You just cannot predict what he will do. I could only concentrate on my
side and play my game.”
Kyrgios has returned to the Top 30 for the first time since last October as
a result of his solid week in the US capital.
His loss was the third of the day for Australians, with Brit Daniel Evans
defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) and 12th seed John Isner rallying
past Jordan Thompson 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
Felix Auger-Aliassime won the highly-touted battle of Canadians over Vasek
Pospisil 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/3).
An electrifying clash lasting just over two and a half hours marked another
success in a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old winner.
The world number 21 has already reached his first three career ATP singles
finals and three months ago became the youngest player to crack the Top 25
since Lleyton Hewitt in 1999.
“I’m pleased that I won, it would have been tough to lose that one,” the
teenager said.
“There were a lot of tough moments today, but I was able to deal with them
in a good way every time. There’s a lot of positives to take from that.”
– Cilic hangs on –
He next faces another Canadian, Milos Raonic, the 17th seed, whom he beat
at Stuttgart in June after losing on hardcourt in March, 2018.
“A year and a half feels like such a long time ago. Physically back then, I
changed a lot. Mentally, as well.
“For sure I have the confidence that I can win against these type of
players. I’m not as nervous stepping on these big courts.
“We’ll see what I can do, for sure I’m a complete different player.”
Two-time quarter-finalist Marin Cilic withstood 19 aces from qualifier
Bradley Klahn to reach the second round 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
Cilic, seeded 14th, has endured an indifferent season due partly to injury.
He’ll be hoping to see a return to form on North American hard courts, where
he won the US Open in 2014.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said after the first-time meeting with
big-serving Klahn. “I’m glad we didn’t go into a third set because then you
never know.”