Actually, it’s something of a stretch calling it a “rivalry” given that of the three matches between Wawrinka and Kyrgios, the last two have ended in retirement. Wawrinka expressed his excitement to step on the clay courts of Paris, but the world No. 4 understands the pressure to play at a high level in the next three weeks to find success in the clay-season.
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It was the Australian, though, who broke to take the first set, but he struggled to carry that momentum to the second as games went by the way of serve.
Wawrinka reached the final of the Madrid Masters in 2013, losing to Nadal, but that’s the only time in nine attempts he has made it past the round of 16, losing his opening match in 2014 to then-qualifier Dominic Thiem and to Grigor Dimitrov in the third round in 2015.
Nishikori failed to convert two break point opportunities on Kyrgios’ serve at 15/40 in the first game of the second set, which proved to be the only chances prior to another tie-break.
Nick Kyrgios is many things but boring isn’t one of them.
Nick Kyrgios hit a sensational hotdog-turned-lob shot against Kei Nishikori on Friday. Kyrgios saved two break points at 1-2, 30/40 and at 3-4, 30/40 in the first set.
Back in the men’s draw, Czech eighth seed Tomas Berdych showed recovery after arriving with a stomach virus, advancing over Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-3.
The second-seeded Murray also put up a dominating display of tennis as he beat Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-4 6-2 in a 99-minute battle. “For a big guy he actually moves well on clay and that will always be the key for Australian players, because not many spend much time on clay in their developing years”, Masur said.
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The victor of this match will play either Novak Djokovic or Milos Raonic, who play later in the day.
