Kyrgios can excel with aces

ANDY Murray has isolated Nick Kyrgios’ pile- driving serve as Wimbledon’s most lethal weapon.

The former world No. 1 struggled to quell the Australian’s steeling deliveries in a first- round loss at Queen’s Club, where Kyrgios landed 98 aces in four matches.

Dual Wimbledon champion Murray, forced to withdraw with hip issues, says Kyrgios’ serve can carry him deep into the tournament.

Asked if Kyrgios could contend after semi- final runs in Stuttgart and Queen’s Club, Murray said: “If he’s able to focus for three, four hours at a time, do it over the space of two weeks, there’s no reason why he can’t compete.

“If you’re getting that many free points with your serve, they’re just aces.

“So 30 aces, let’s say in a two- set match, 24 points to win a set, that’s not including the ones that guys just touch and get a racquet on, you don’t actually have to win that many points, you know, and play that many long rallies and stuff.

“I think at Queen’s, I’m pretty sure I’m right in saying this, he served in the two matches after he played me I think he served over 30 aces ( 32) in back- to- back matches.

“It’s incredible to be able to do that nowadays because the courts are not unbelievably fast.

“He’s not just doing that on his first serve. He’s hitting huge second serves as well.”

Something of a mentor to Kyrgios, Murray said the only lingering question mark over the volatile Australian was mental fragility.

“The mental side of the game, you know, is huge and extremely important,” Murray said.

“He needs to prove that.”