Share

Nick Kyrgios praises Denis Shapovalov, criticizes Australian fans after Rogers Cup loss

Australian 12th seed Bernard Tomic beat Alejandro Gonzalez 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) while Jack Sock, the number 16, defeated Denis Kudla 6-2, 6-2.

Advertisement

“I’m really looking forward to see how he’s going to progress into the seniors and transition. I love impressing people”, said Shapovalov.

Kyrgios had admitted to playing video games instead of preparing to face Murray at the All England Club, but – with his pre-match routines firmly in the spotlight – he was unmoved.

Not shy on the big stage, the wild card entrant told reporters that he requested to play on Centre Court and he made the most of his chances, taking advantage of 18 Kyrgios double-faults and a generally listless performance from the Aussie to notch his first tour-level win.

He added: “He played great and he earned it”.

Even when playing in Canada, Nick Kyrgios found a way to take a swipe at his home country.

“I know what it feels like to come off one of your biggest junior results and then play in one of your home tournaments”.

But Kyrgios started to take control when he broke Shapovalov in the second game of the second set.

The loss, which took barely 90 minutes, left Kyrgios puzzling over his continual scratchy form and occasional lack of apparent desire on court. Kyrgios blinked first, once again running into serve problems, double faulting twice in the second game as Shapovalov converted the break opportunity to go up 2-0. Dimitrov came back from a set down to beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-4 on Monday.

Before in his career, Kyrgios, 21, has been accused of not trying and last night shouted “I’m going home” to his fans during a petulant display. “It was great to hear some Bulgarian voices in the crowd when I got down on myself”, he said.

“I really have to focus and really go for my shots and relax if I want to make a quarter or semi”. Toronto’s Steven Diez downed Britain’s Kyle Edmund 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 while Peter Polansky, of Thornhill, Ontario, advanced following a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory over American qualifier Tim Smyczek.

Elsewhere in the first round, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson ended a three match losing streak with a defeat of Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

Advertisement

Shapalova, who won the junior Wimbledon title a fortnight ago, was playing only his second ATP event after losing last week in the opening round in Washington.

Canada's Peter Polansky advances to second round of Rogers Cup tennis tournament