(Miami) Nick Kyrgios, 102and world and beneficiary of an invitation, crushed 6-3, 6-0 Andrey Rublev (7and), yet one of the favorites of the event, to advance Friday to 3and tour of the Miami Tournament.
Posted at 5:44 p.m.
The Australian, who remains on a quarter-final loss narrowly against Rafael Nadal in Indian Wells, is in excellent form and showed it brilliantly against the Russian, who is seriously marking time in Florida, after reaching the halfbacks in California.
On the central of Hard Rock Stadium, the suspense did not last long, as Kyrgios flew over the debates with his big powerful forehands and a formidable efficiency in the service (80% of first serves, 10 aces).
Rublev however broke the first to lead 2-1 in the first set, but his opponent immediately did the same, to again take the serve and lead 4-2.
Unanswered and seeming resigned as rarely, Rublev could not return to the match and even came out of it completely, obviously cutting his efforts in the second set concluded with a “donut”. Much to Kyrgios’ surprise after their handshake.
“I am very happy with my performance. I didn’t play amazing, I played the right way. I know Rublev likes to dictate the tempo and I didn’t let him. I made as many winners as I could and I served well,” commented the 26-year-old, winner in 53 minutes.
Kyrgios, who in addition will not have had the opportunity to express his volcanic character – last week he almost hit a ballboy after smashing his racket on the ground – will be opposed in the next round to the Italian Fabio Fognini (17)and).