Shortly after Nick Kyrgios was hit with a code violation for cracking the shits at the Japan Open, the troubled tennis star has copped his second in the space of a week, this one for swearing on-court during the Shanghai Masters.
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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. Cameraman’s been talking in the middle of a point…
The chair umpire gave Kyrgios a code violation for the outburst.
But the Aussie still appeared unhappy with the ball boys in China, although his mood lightened when he completed a comfortable win over Haider-Maurer to set up a second-round clash with Kei Nishikori.
“Kei’s one of the best players in the world right now”, said Kyrgios. He’s a great athlete.
Albert Ramos-Vinolas will take on defending champion Roger Federer following his win over Sam Querrey in three sets, while Nick Kyrgios, Feliciano Lopez and John Isner also advanced on day two of the tournament. “He’s playing well. So I know what I have to do”, Kyrgios said.
The 13th-seeded American lost only six points on his first serve in the match and saved the only break point he faced in the second set.
Slovak Martin Klizan beat local favourite Zhang Ze 7-6(8), 6-2 and now runs into top seed Novak Djokovic, who is gunning for his ninth title of the year. At the same time I’m going to go out there and enjoy the experience.
Ivo Karlovic will take aim at eighth seed and 2009 runner-up Rafael Nadal, yesterday’s China Open finalist (l.to Djokovic), in the second round after he fired down 18 aces to beat Jeremy Chardy for the first time in their third meeting, 6-4, 7-6(6).
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But world No 27 Andreas Seppi bowed out after a 4-6 6-1 7-6 defeat by Steve Johnson.
