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Nick Kyrgios loses the plot in 'disgusting' scenes at Miami Open

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here losing the plot in ugly scenes at the Miami Open.
Nick Kyrgios lost the plot in ugly scenes at the Miami Open. Image: Tennis TV

Nick Kyrgios has sparked more controversy in the tennis world after an ugly meltdown at the Miami Open.

The Aussie star angrily berated the chair umpire and received a game penalty after a number of code violations in a straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner on Tuesday.

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Kyrgios was absolutely seething after losing the first set in a tiebreaker after he received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct for something he said.

He angrily confronted chair umpire Carlos Bernardes in ugly scenes.

"I didn't even say anything to you," he screamed.

"What is unsportsmanlike about it? What is unsportsmanlike?"

Kyrgios then demanded Bernardes call the tournament supervisor.

"I was talking to my friend. I want to talk to someone. Get me someone now," he yelled.

Bernardes responded to Kyrgios that he believed the Aussie was talking to someone in the crowd about him.

Kyrgios then lost the plot as he smashed his racquet a number of times by the side of the court, earning another code violation and game penalty as a result.

That meant he started the second set down 0-1 and was one more code violation away from being defaulted from the match.

However he managed to keep his cool for the remainder of the second set.

In bizarre scenes, security had to remove a young fan who ran onto the court in an attempt to snap a selfie with Kyrgios amid the mayhem.

Fans and commentators were left far from impressed with Kyrgios' latest meltdown.

It followed the $25,000 he was fined for nearly hitting a ball boy after smashing his racquet and yelling an obscenity during his loss to Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells.

A fan, pictured here being escorted off the court by security after taking a selfie with Nick Kyrgios.
A fan is escorted off the court by security after taking a selfie with Nick Kyrgios. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves via Getty Images)

Some called on the ATP Tour to finally suspend him after a number of indiscretions in recent years.

“Kyrgios has been given plenty of chances through the years and been cut plenty of slack by the tour,” American writer Christopher Clarey tweeted.

“He is not a kid anymore. His misbehaviour on court is a clear pattern of behaviour. ATP is right to crack down.”

Journalist James Gray commented: “Cannot believe Nick Kyrgios has not been disqualified more in his career.

"Tennis doesn't have the kind of official abuse problem football has but it’s still damaging for the grassroots game for elite players to act like this.”

Sinner went on to win the match 7-6 (3) 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals.

British writer Simon Briggs reported after the match that Kyrgios addressed him directly after the loss.

“Am not used to being addressed from the court in the middle of matches, but Nick Kyrgios just suggested that I should ‘write about the umpires and how — they are’,” Briggs tweeted.

“Felt he was a little hard done-by today, but then in matches like this he is often on the edge of trouble.”

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here throwing his racquet during his clash with Jannik Sinner at the Miami Open.
Nick Kyrgios throws his racquet during his clash with Jannik Sinner at the Miami Open. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (Matthew Stockman via Getty Images)

Alexander Zverev ends Thanasi Kokkinakis' run

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev's push to land his first title of the year moved a step closer after the German moved into the quarter-finals with a straight-sets win over Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The World No.4 has struggled for consistency in 2022 but the Miami Open finalist from 2018 was too strong in a 6-4 6-4 win over Kokkinakis - who came through qualifying without dropping a set.

Kokkinakis, who along with compatriot Kyrgios won the Australian Open doubles title, was in the fourth round for the first time in south Florida and managed to give the German a few headaches, especially with his serve.

Alexander Zverev, pictured here after defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Miami Open
Alexander Zverev celebrates after defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Miami Open. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) (Megan Briggs via Getty Images)

Yet the Australian looked to be struggling with a chest injury in the second set and Zverev was able to move through the gears when it mattered to set up an encounter with Norway's Casper Ruud for a place in the semi-finals.

"He is in the fourth round for a reason so I am just happy to come through," Zverev said afterwards.

"I won my first Masters event here and reached my first quarter final so this tournament has been good to me."

Kokkinakis hit eight aces but his overall service game let him down and was unable to break the German's serve which was far more effective.

Ruud earlier made light work of British No.1 Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-4.

with agencies

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