‘Bored’ Kyrgios progresses in Shanghai

In-form Nick Kyrgios claims he was bored during his routine 6-4 6-4 first-round triumph over Sam Query at the Shanghai Masters.

The 21-year-old, whose victory in the Japan Open on Sunday moved him to a career-high 12th in the world, extended his winning run to six matches in just 53 minutes.

However, when asked why he was unusually quiet on court the mercurial Canberran admitted it was down to being tired.

“I was just a bit bored at times,” said Kyrgios.

“I was feeling very tired. It was just tough … maybe I just wanted to get the job done.

“I didn’t have the greatest sleep last night and obviously got in late the day before.

“The ride to the courts isn’t great either.”

At the Shanghai Masters last year that Kyrgios was fined $US1,500 for a foul-mouthed outburst, where he described the tournament as a “circus”.

Injury forced Bernard Tomic to retire midway through his first-round clash with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.

Tomic was trailing 3-0 in the second set having lost the opener 6-3 when he decided he wasn’t fit to continue.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic stepped onto a court for the first time since losing the US Open final a month ago, with the Serb earning a 6-3 6-3 won over Fabio Fognini.

The Serb is making his only stop in Asia after bypassing Beijing as he took a long break from the sport following his Flushing Meadows finals loss to Stan Wawrinka.

“I was just pleased to be back on the court, considering I skipped Beijing,” Djokovic said.

“I was just trying to focus on my game and things that I worked on the last couple of weeks. I believe things will progress as days go by.

“My approach (now) is just different. My priorities are now to enjoy, really.”

Djokovic, a three-time champion in China’s commercial capital, has also been healing an elbow injury and is trying to hold off a rankings charge from world No.2 Andy Murray, winner of the Beijing title.

Grigor Dimitrov scored an upset as he beat French 14th seed Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-4 winning for the first time in six attempts.

First-round play concluded with a loss for tenth seed David Ferrer as the Spaniard lost to compatriot Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-4).

David Goffin put out Juan Martin del Potro 4-6 6-3 7-5 as the Argentine continues his long-term wrist recovery.

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