Nick Kyrgios booed as Australian humbles new world number one Rafael Nadal to reach Cincinnati Masters semi-finals
The 22-year-old from Canberra posts 6-2, 7-5 win to set up last four meeting with Spain’s David Ferrer after playing twice in one day
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios humbled new world number one Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-5 to win twice in one day to reach the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
On a day when defending champion Karolina Pliskova also won twice in one day for the third time this season to tighten her grip on the world number one ranking, Kyrgios stole the show by overpowering the 15-time grand slam champion.
The 22-year-old from Canberra was up a double break in 10 minutes, seizing the chance to make a between-the-legs shot on his way to a 4-0 lead which drew boos from the crowd.
World number 23 Kyrgios took the first set in 25 minutes, dropping only three points on his serve while taking seven-of-eight points off the 31-year-old Spaniard’s second serves.
Nadal netted a forehand to surrender a break and a 3-2 lead to Kyrgios in the second set.
The Australian served for the match in the 10th game, but double faulted on his third match point and Nadal had new life, screaming, “Come On.”