Kyrgios triumphs in explosive match

NICK Kyrgios has marched into the third round of the Washington Open after a commanding 6-4, 7-5 victory over Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Kyrgios blasted 24 aces against Simon, the tournament’s 11th seed, during the 91minute contest in which the Australian smashed a racquet and had a blow-up with the umpire.

The 24-year-old world No.52 will face the winner of Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka and Belgium’s David Goffin for a spot in the quarter-finals. Compatriot Alex de Minaur suffered an upset 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) loss to German world No.122 Peter Gojowczyk.

The loss marks a bitter change in fortune for 20-yearold de Minaur, who won the Atlanta Open on Monday.

Gojowczyk will face the 2014 Washington Open champion, Milos Raonic, who booked a spot in the third round after he defeated American Tim Smyczek 6-1, 6-4.

Australian journeyman Marc Polmans pushed French former world No.18 Benoit Paire to three sets before falling 6-2, 5-7 (7-5), 7-5 (7-5).

The world No.172 saved 11 break points in the two-and-a half hour slugfest, but Paire, who fired 26 aces, proved too strong.

Paire will face American John Isner, who defeated Pole Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 6-4, in the third round.

Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson, who was due to play German Jan-Lennard Struff overnight, are the last two Australian men left in the tournament.

Tournament top seed Stafanos Tsitsipas is also through. The world No.6 beat American Tommy Paul 6-3 7-5 and will meet the winner of Thompson and Struff for a place in the quarter-finals.

Three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray moved closer to a singles comeback six months after hip surgery, joining brother Jamie for a doubles victory yesterday.

The Murrays, partnered for the first time since the 2016