Nadal stops irked Kyrgios to reach SF
Rafael Nadal left Nick Kyrgios frustrated and fuming with a 7-6 (7/0), 5-7, 6-4 victory in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells ATP and WTA Masters on Thursday.
The unflappable Spaniard, who claimed a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, improved to 19-0 in 2022 and notched his sixth win in nine career meetings against the mercurial Aussie, who surrendered the first set on a point penalty, raged at the chair umpire over the disruptive crowd and even had a testy exchange with actor Ben Stiller.
When it was all over Kyrgios flung his racquet once more in disgust, and it bounced toward a ballboy who had to dodge out of the way.
Kyrgios was irked that the unintentional incident garnered as much attention as his sometimes sparkling performance against Nadal, who admitted himself that he was lucky to pocket a first set that Kyrgios was two points away from winning.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Kyrgios climbed to 30-15 only to wind up broken by Nadal.
The tie-breaker was all Nadal, and Kyrgios, who had already been warned for racquet abuse, gave it up when he was docked a point when a fan’s shout as he prepared to serve provoked a profanity-laced response.
Kyrgios insisted that he wasn’t hindered by his emotional response to the crowd — and his perception that umpire Carlos Bernardes wasn’t doing enough to control the disruptive spectators.
“It was an amazing atmosphere,” said Kyrgios.
“I was focused. Just because I have an outburst doesn’t mean I’m not focused.”
Nadal, who hasn’t been shy about criticizing Kyrgios in the past, agreed.
“Nick is one of the most talented players on the tour without a doubt,” Nadal said.
“When he’s playing with motivation and passion he’s one of the players that can damage your game and win against anyone.”
Nadal booked an intriguing semifinal showdown against 18-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who beat defending champion Cameron Norrie of Britain 6-4, 6-3.
The Spanish flag was still flying in the women’s draw as well after defending champion Paula Badosa beat Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-2 to set up a semi-final clash with Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
Sakkari, coming off a run to the final in Saint Petersburg that helped propel her past Badosa into sixth in the world rankings, beat Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-4.
RESULTS
(x denotes seeded player, players representing Russia and Belarus are banned from competing under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus)
Quarter-finals Men
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP x19) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR x12) 6-4, 6-3; Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 7-6 (7/0), 5-7, 6-4
Women
Paula Badosa (ESP x5) bt Veronika Kudermetova (x21) 6-3, 6-2; Maria Sakkari (GRE x6) bt Elena Rybakina (KAZ x17) 7-5, 6-4