Obviously it felt like a mountain to climb after losing the first.
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“I don’t want to Kyrgios bash because I think he gets bashed quite a bit”, said Gaze on SEN radio. “I couldn’t compete today”, said Nishikori.
BBC pundit John McEnroe was extremely critical of Kyrgios both during and after the match.
Kyrgios, the 15th seed, who was fined a total of $6,500 for outbursts during the tournament, did little to help his case in a moody press conference.
“I’m hoping he sees the writing on the wall before this becomes chronic, irreparable, because to me it’s getting to that point”.
That’s the thing that can make him a top-10 player. He has said he can be fired up by some of the issues he becomes embroiled in on court but Cahill was more concerned about his conduct during play.
“I’m sure over time he’ll start to do better and understand better how to deal with all of the attention and the questions and stuff”.
“The first set was very tight, I managed to get the break at 6-5”, said Murray. I knew Lopez was going to look to jump on me from the get go. “Have you never said a swear word in your life?” he also said at one point.
Kyrgios, who had prepared for the match by watching Lleyton Hewitt play doubles, then revealed he had spent the morning playing computer games. Is that the greatest preparation? I definitely feel like he’s beatable, he’s only human, he’s a great athlete, moves extremely well, he knows the game so well.
Outspoken and polarising tennis player Nick Kyrgios will need to significantly alter his attitude into one that at least somewhat resembles that of a professional athlete trying to be number one, says Andrew Gaze. But it’s just disappointing.
Thereafter Kyrgios’s focus and intensity wavered, the Briton breaking him twice in a second set that flew by in 26 minutes.
“Just doing whatever you want, I guess”. I don’t really know a coach who would be down for that one.
But, for all Kyrgios’ failings, the key factor was the performance of Murray, who found a flawless mix of patience and aggression.
Kyrgios, nevertheless, did himself no favours with some of his tactics and shot selection.
Murray said Kyrgios would learn to handle the media better. “I said: “It’s okay”.
Murray’s progression through this stage of the tournament has been relatively easy.
“Saying that, he is one of the best in the world and he is probably the favourite now Novak is out”.
Bizarrely, Monday’s match will mean Murray and Kyrgios have played each other at all four slams in the last 18 months.
“In a way you’re the one that’s funding it, paying it”, Murray said.
Kyrgios required a medical timeout for a nose bleed during the first set, but that will be the least of his concerns.
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But in general this was the positive side of Kyrgios and Murray will be extremely wary of the flashy 21-year-old.
