Nick Kyrgios has defied a hand injury and cramp to overcome three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in three tough sets and reach the semi-finals of the Mexico Open in Acapulco.
In a marathon encounter lasting more than two-and-a-half hours, Kyrgios won 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 6-4, setting up a semi-final showdown against either fellow Australian John Millman or towering American John Isner.
It was a second-straight victory over a top-liner for Kyrgios, who had saved three match points before beating world No.2 Rafael Nadal in the previous round.
The Australian battled cramp during the closing stages of Thursday night’s match against Wawrinka, but hung tough to claim the win despite the crowd clearly favouring the Swiss.
“I actually play better when the crowd is against me and giving me a bit of stink,” the 23-year-old said.
“I love it. It gets me going.”
The night did not begin well for the hard-hitting Kyrgios, who slipped while thumping a backhand in the match’s opening game, opening up a cut on his right hand that required medical attention.
Leg cramps, which also required a visit from the trainers, followed in the deciding set but nothing could derail Kyrgios, who won his final service game to love.
“In the first game I just tripped over. I’m not the smoothest mover on tour and I tripped over and grazed my hand,” he said.
“And the cramping was tough toward the end.”
Earlier, fellow Australian Alex De Minaur lost 6-4 6-4 to German world No.3 Alexander Zverev.
Zverev’s semi-final opponent will be Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who beat American Mackenzie McDonald in the quarters.
By Rory Carroll
* Faces winner of Isner-Millman contest next
* Says hostile crowd spurred him to play better
* Second seed Zverev beats de Minaur (Adds quotes)
Feb 28 (Reuters) – Nick Kyrgios overcame a hand injury, leg cramps and a strong performance from Stan Wawrinka to prevail 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 and advance to the semi-finals of the Acapulco International on Thursday.
The mercurial Australian, who defeated Rafa Nadal the night before in a match where the Spaniard later criticized Kyrgios’ on-court demeanor, was focused in the quarter-final and outplayed Wawrinka in the match’s biggest moments despite crowd that vocally backed the Swiss.
“I actually play better when the crowd is against me and giving me a bit of stink,” the 23-year-old said.
“I love it. It gets me going.”
The night did not begin well for the hard-hitting Kyrgios, who slipped while thumping a backhand in the match’s opening game, opening up a cut on his right hand that required medical attention.
Leg cramps, which also required a visit from the trainers, followed in the deciding set but nothing could derail Kyrgios, who won his final service game at love to keep his hopes of a maiden championship at the tournament alive.
“In the first game I just tripped over. I’m not the smoothest mover on tour and I tripped over and grazed my hand,” he said.
“And the cramping was tough toward the end.”
Next up for Kyrgios is either big-serving American John Isner or his eighth seeded countryman John Millman, who play later on Thursday.
Earlier in the day Briton Cameron Norrie cruised past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-2 to book his ticket to the semis.
Norrie will face second-seeded German Alexander Zverev, who did not face a break point en route to a 6-4 6-4 win over Australian Alex de Minaur. (Reporting by Rory Carroll Editing by Amlan Chakraborty
Feb 28 (Reuters) – Nick Kyrgios overcame a hand injury, leg cramps and a solid performance from Stan Wawrinka to prevail 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 and advance to the semi-finals of the Acapulco International on Thursday.
The mercurial Australian, who defeated Rafa Nadal the night before in a match where the Spaniard later criticized Kyrgios’ on-court demeanor, was focused in the quarter-final and outplayed Wawrinka in the match’s biggest moments despite crowd that vocally backed the Swiss.
The night did not begin well for the hard-hitting Kyrgios, who slipped while hitting a backhand in the match’s opening game, opening up a cut on his right hand that required medical attention.
Leg cramps, which also required a visit from the trainers, followed in the deciding set but nothing could derail Kyrgios, who won his final service game at love to keep his hopes of a maiden championship at the tournament alive.
Next up for Kyrgios is either big-serving American John Isner or his eighth seeded countryman John Millman, who play later on Thursday.
Earlier in the day Briton Cameron Norrie cruised past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-2 to book his ticket to the semis.
Norrie will face second-seeded German Alexander Zverev, who did not face a break point en route to a 6-4 6-4 win over Australian Alex de Minaur. (Reporting by Rory Carroll Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
