Tuesday 9 August 2016

Atlanta joy for Kyrgios

After winning in Atlanta for three straight years John Isner had every chance to make it four, but Nick Kyrgios thwarted the American in a final dominated by the serve, as fully expected.

Both players belted 18 aces in two sets which predictably went to tie breaks.  None of the six break points for the match were converted.  Isner won 91% of points on his first serve, Kyrgios 82% on his.  However the Australian managed to return Isner's second serve far more effectively, winning the point 67% of the time.

The match though was decided with the ability of Kyrgios to handle the pressure of each tie break the better, winning 7-3 and 7-4.  The second ATP title of his career was Nick's 7-6 7-6, and he moved to a career high ranking of 16.

Meanwhile in South America, major upsets have split the Olympic tennis draws wide open.  Novak Djokovic fell to Juan Martin Del Potro in the opening round - the Argentine is now officially Novak's Olympic nemesis, having beaten the Serb in the bronze medal play off in the London games of 2012.  Sad for the world number one, but great signs for the comeback of Del Potro to top tennis.

Venus Williams, having been dumped from the singles in round one, completed her miserable Rio experience with an opening match loss in the doubles with her sister to the Czech pair of Safarova and Strycova.  Venus will now devote her energy to cheering on Serena who remains in the singles race for gold.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was a second round casualty while Angie Kerber, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray join Serena among the big names still standing.

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