Kyrgios’ frustrations percolated from early in the 6-3, 6-2 opening round defeat of Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer that he branded “a circus” and “unbelievable”, declaring “I hate this place” during a running commentary that bounced around the near-empty Grandstand court at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre.
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“They were talking in the middle of the points”, Kyrgios said of cameramen during his match.
Kyrgios found himself in more hot water last week when he was issued a code violation in his quarter-final loss at the Japan Open for hitting a ball into the ceiling.
“Strange one today but a win is a win”.
Things went more smoothly for Kyrgios and doubles partner Bernard Tomic on Tuesday as they beat Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock to reach the second round.
Kyrgios will play world No. 6 Kei Nishikori of Japan in the next round of the Shanghai Masters.
“Obviously Kei, he’s one of the best players in the world right now”, Kyrgios said.
The match was plagued with issues, including inexperienced ball kids and a cameraman on the sidelines who had to be ejected after he refused to STFU, putting the players off their game.
John Isner of the United States burnished his big-serving reputation with 20 aces in a 6-1, 6-2 romp against Adrian Mannarino of France, while Roberto Bautista Agut also had it easy against fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who was beaten 6-2, 6-3.
The 2014 US Open champion saved a match point before going on to end Wu’s hopes of claiming a major scalp on home soil, with Cilic prevailing 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
American Steve Johnson cut short Italian Andreas Seppi’s campaign with a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 win.
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NONE of the three Chinese wildcards survived the first round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters yesterday, though local boy Wu Di’s promising performance against Marin Cilic gave fans at the Qizhong Tennis Center something to cheer.
