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Why Nick Kyrgios' 'tanking' tantrum was 'smart move'

Nick Kyrgios has admitted to ‘tanking’ during his victory over Borna Coric in Cincinnati, before offering a bizarre justification for it.

Kyrgios bounced back from a controversial second-set tantrum to reach the round of 16 on Thursday (AEST).

The No.15 seed was pushed to a tiebreaker by Borna Coric in the first set but overcame the Croatian 7-1.

However it quickly went pear-shaped for the temperamental Australian, who lost his cool before surrendering the second set 6-0.

On-court microphones picked up his comments as he vented his frustrations at the umpiring.

Nick Kyrgios was fuming during the second set. Image: Tennis TV
Nick Kyrgios was fuming during the second set. Image: Tennis TV

“You’ll never see a bigger tank than the next 3 games,” tennis writer Reem Abulleil reported him as telling his court-side team.

He also mimed eyeglasses at the umpire and didn’t spare himself, saying after missing a return: “Played professional tennis for 15 years and still can’t hit a proper forehand return.”

Kyrgios, however, rallied in the third set, delighting the crowd with several shots between his legs on his way to winning it 6-3.

In his post-match press conference, Kyrgios opened up on the ‘tanking’ tantrum, saying it was actually a “smart” move.

“I knew I was always going to compete in the third set,” said Kyrgios.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates match point against Borna Coric of Croatia during Day 5 of the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2018 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates match point against Borna Coric of Croatia during Day 5 of the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2018 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

“I competed too hard in the first set to sort of just let the match slip and not give myself a chance to win, at least.

“The second set, when I was 4-0 down, I knew there was no real point going out there and competing and obviously waste energy trying to battle back.

“I knew at 4-0, if I lost the set 6-0, I was going to be serving first in the third set. I think I carried a lot of momentum from the first game, and it ended up being a smart move.”

It’s hard to disagree with the young Aussie’s thought process, but using the word ‘tanking’ certainly isn’t a good look.

Kyrgios has been heavily criticised in the past for not giving his full effort during matches, and ‘tanking’ certainly wouldn’t be in the spirit of the game.

The Australian No.1 will now face Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro for a spot in the quarter-finals.

with AAP