Kyrgios Saves Three Match Points to Upset Top Seed Nadal in Acapulco
(February 28, 2019) Nick Kyrgios saved three match points in a comeback against top seed and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the second round at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6). From down 3-6 in the third set tiebreak, the Australian won the next five straight points to claim his third win against the 17-time major champion.
Kyrgios saved nine out of ten break points and hit 21 aces past the Spaniard. Kyrgios who appeared hampered in the match with both knees taped, needed medical time outs at the end of both of the first two sets. Just before the third set it looked as though he was contemplating retiring but said on court as his knees were being taped: I feel sick……. if I forfeit, the media will blow it up…. I’ll be booed off the court.”
It was a very enthusiastic crowd, at one point, Nadal had to tell them to quiet down. Kyrgios did the same but used a curse word which gave him a warning.
For Kyrgios, it’s his sixth win over a Top 2 opponent. He’s now 3-3 against Nadal. Kyrgios will take on three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.
Nadal was not happy during his news conference and Josefa Gout reported Nadal’s thoughts via twitter: “He is a player who has a huge talent could be winning Grand slam or fight the first position in the ranking and for something is where he is. He lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself “
“Es un jugador que tiene un talento descomunal podría estar ganando Grand Slams o pelear la primera posición en el ranking y por algo está donde está. Le falta respeto para el público, el rival y hacia sí mismo”… Rafa Nadal sobre Kyrgios @adrenalina pic.twitter.com/ZC1ysaLT2e
— Josefa Gout (@JosefaGout) February 28, 2019
Both top seeds in Acapulco lost on Wednesday – Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia beat No.1 seed Sloane Stephens for her first ever WTA Top 10 win 6-3, 6-3.
“It was just a tough match, obviously she played well,” Stephens said to media “A tough day. But I’m not too sad about it. I’m just going to go back and work some more, practice some more and get ready for Indian Wells.”
More to follow…
