Kyrgios hits another low with defeat Shapovalov
toronto — Nick Kyrgios turned in a patchy performance to exit the Toronto Masters 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-3 on Monday at the hands of Wimbledon junior champion Denis Shapovalov.
The 17-year-old Canadian set up a match point with his 12th ace, then calmly closed out the upset over the 19th-ranked Australian. In his first match since losing to eventual champion Andy Murray in the Wimbledon fourth round, Kyrgios at times showed little interest in his oncourt duties, serving at lightning speed with only a few seconds between points. During one changeover, he was heard muttering to himself in dissatisfaction. “Not great, obviously,” said Kyrgios, who was troubled by a sore knee but still unhappy with his lethargic showing. “I don’t know. I just didn’t play great.”
The Australian 11th seed somehow struck an ace as his racquet flew from his hand on one serve, but his 13 aces were out-numbered by 18 double faults. “I’m not going to tell you what I did or didn’t do to prepare for this match. I just played pretty bad, but he played great and he earned it. “Obviously he was excited playing in front of his home crowd. I know what it feels like to come off one of your biggest junior results and then play in one of your home tournaments.”
Shapovalov, playing in only his second ATP event, will take on Former top 10 contender Grigor Dimitrov, who is trying to claw his way back in what has been a disappointing season.
The Bulgarian reached the second round with a 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory over Yuichi Sugita. —