Yes it was Nick Kyrgios who handed the world number two his marching orders in their first ever meeting, and although I have consistently supported Nick's tennis brilliance, it has been difficult because he compromises his prodigious talent with unnecessary immature contributions.
Not this match. Here was all the talent for all to see, against the best returner of serve, along with Agassi, in the modern era. Serious Kyrgios, serving with a confidence eerily bringing back memories of Sampras. There were several impressive things to take out of the win for the Australian, not least the fact that he defeated Djokovic playing well.
The best player in the world absorbed the pressure of 25 Kyrgios aces in two sets, and plenty of exhilarating winners, to hold his own serve comfortably throughout - almost.
Novak wilted twice under the pressure - in the first set tie break where a double fault was the only outright mistake from the Australian racquet and the last game of the match where the Serb was broken to love.
The only shot which failed Kyrgios was the drop shot which Djokovic punished on every occasion, but it mattered not.
Kyrgios can beat anyone when he is mentally switched on.
There remains the "If only..." with a number of matters, and one of these surrounds finding and keeping a coach/mentor. Someone to help deal with distractions, because Nick has yet to prove he can handle the spotlight properly singlehanded.
A win against Sam Querrey in the semi final would give Nick Kyrgios the chance to play Rafa Nadal for his first ATP 500 series title.
At the moment he is leading by a set but down two service breaks in the second, and needing to refocus quickly.
No comments:
Post a Comment