Nadal ‘destroys’ agitated Kyrgios to win China Open, Halep new world No 1 after runner-up finish
Spaniard claims Beijing title – his 75th on tour – in straight sets, while Simona Halep loses out to Caroline Garcia but still claims top ranking
Rafael Nadal won his sixth title of another remarkable year by beating an agitated Nick Kyrgios at the China Open on Sunday, while unseeded Caroline Garcia stunned the new world number one.
The 16-time grand slam champion Nadal saw the Australian Kyrgios hit with a penalty point as the Spanish number one eased to a 6-2, 6-1 victory on the Beijing hard courts.
The 31-year-old saved two match points in his nervy opener against Frenchman Lucas Pouille, but was never really in trouble as Kyrgios’ final hopes evaporated in acrimony.
The 22-year-old Australian was upset with a call in the first game and appeared unable to let it go after that, earning a warning and then a penalty point.
“I have lot of respect for Nick, he’s one of the players with more talent on the tour,” Nadal, considered one of the best players ever, said.
Nadal added that he hopes the temperamental Kyrgios, ranked 19 in the world, will one day fulfil his potential.