Nick Kyrgios’ US Open campaign under a cloud after a third injury retirement in as many tournaments.
Playing his first match of the US hardcourt season, Kyrgios was troubled by a shoulder problem when he pulled out of his second-round Washington Open clash on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Australian was down 6-3 3-0 to American world No.106 with Tennys Sandgren when he retired, showing signs of discomfort throughout the match.
He received medical attention on multiple occasions, also constantly clutching at the shoulder.
He eventually told the trainer, “I’m done, I’m done” and shook his opponent’s hand.
It was Kyrgios’ first tournament since retiring less than an hour into his Wimbledon first-round match due to a chronic hip injury.
He also pulled out midway through his Queen’s Club opening-round clash in June when he fell and aggravated his hip problem.
Kyrgios has received a first-round bye in Washington.
The world No.20 faces a race against the clock to be fit for the US Open, starting on August 29, with Australia’s Davis Cup semi-final against Belgium soon after from September 15-17.
Earlier in Washington, Davis Cup teammate Jordan Thompson came frustratingly close to upsetting world No.8 Alexander Zverev in the second round.
The 23-year-old Thompson lost 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5), leading the third-set tiebreaker 5-4 before conceding the final three points of the match.
“I’m just happy to get through that one; 7-6 in the third is always something very nice,” Zverev said.
“You feel good about yourself. Hopefully, I can do it better the next match.”
Zverev, the winner of three titles in 2017,will face Sandgren in the third round.
Australian Marc Polmans lost his second-round match to American Jared Donaldson in straight sets.
The 20-year-old Polmans was beaten 6-2 6-3 by the world No.69.
Tenth-ranked Canadian Milos Raonic also advanced, defeating Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (10-8).
Raonic, the 2014 Washington Open champion, next faces veteran Marcos Baghdatis.