Quirky sub-plot to Nick Kyrgios' latest US Open victory

Nick Kyrgios ticked a crucial item off his to-do list by progressing to the third round of the US Open on Friday morning (AEST).

The livewire Australian was far too good for French qualifier Antoine Hoang, besting him in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

While it wouldn’t have been a Kyrgios match without a few moments of tension with the umpires, it was the result that mattered most.

The win guaranteed Kyrgios US$163,000 in prize-money for reaching the third round - enough to cover his record-breaking fine from the Cincinnati Open.

Kyrgios went off the rails in the warm-up tournament to the US Open, labelling the chair umpire a ‘f***ing tool’ and appearing to spit in his general direction as he lost 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 2-6 to Karen Khachanov.

It all unravelled when Murphy hit Kyrgios with a time violation for taking too long between serves during the second set.

The Aussie said: “That’s hilarious, if Rafa plays that quick I’m retiring from tennis. Absolute rubbish … disgrace.

“Get me some footage of Rafa playing that quick, that game. If you can find any of that I’ll shut my mouth and never speak again.

He conceded a point penalty after calling Murphy the “worst f***ing referee ever”, before walking off court and smashing two racquets in the tunnel after pretending to take a toilet break.

Kyrgios courts controversy with collar logo

Kyrgios has kept his run of tense exchanges with umpires going during bizarre scenes that preceded his US Open second round match.

The Aussie firebrand has courted plenty of recent controversy after claiming the ATP was “corrupt” in the wake of his record Cincinnati Masters fine.

On Thursday (Friday AEST) at Flushing Meadows, Kyrgios found himself in the crosshairs of another umpire, before his match against Frenchman Antoine Hoang had even begun.

Kyrgios, wearing a shirt from his clothing giant sponsor Nike, decided to turn up his collar to reveal a three word phrase.

Rather than the 'Just Do It' phrase that has become synonymous with Nike, Kyrgios' shirt revealed the words 'Just Do You'.

But, in an apparent dress-code breach, the tournament supervisor instructed Kyrgios to change the shirt after the warm-up.

Kyrgios was initially having none of it, demanding to see the rule book.

"I'm not going to play until you show me the rule," he fumed.

"I want to know the rule. I want to see the rule.

"I've seen shirts worse."

The drama didn't seem to affect Kyrgios, with the Aussie breaking his French opponent to get off to a flying start.