Nick Kyrgios' epic moment with fan during win at Washington Open
Nick Kyrgios has continued his rich vein of form at the Citi Open in Washington, brushing aside Marcos Giron in a straight-sets thrashing.
Fresh from his remarkable run to the Wimbledon final last month, the Aussie star is showing no signs of slowing down in the lead-up to the US Open.
'TOUGH TO WATCH': Venus Williams' brutal fate in tennis return
'PARANOIA': Russia hits back amid Emma Raducanu controversy
Having skipped last week's singles event in Atlanta to rest a knee complaint, Kyrgios showed plenty of positive signs as his preparations ramp up ahead of the final grand slam of the year.
The World No.63 and former champion in Washington, Kyrgios needed just 60 minutes to see off the 53rd-ranked American 6-3 6-2 and set up a round-of-32 clash with local hope Tommy Paul.
The Canberran blasted down 12 aces and won 82 per cent of his first serves in his first singles match since Wimbledon.
In true showman-like fashion, Kyrgios even asked a fan in the front row where he should serve on match point, before firing down an unreturnable rocket.
"Came out a bit slow, obviously very different conditions to Wimbledon but I think a bit of nerves as well," Kyrgios said in his on-court interview.
"You know I won the tournament in 2019, seeing my name up on the stadium and then knowing that I didn't play well at all here last year - I lost first round.
"I was just going through such a dark time in my life and I'm just so happy to be here with my team.
"The love and support I'm getting from the crowd, I'm just really happy to be out here playing some really good tennis again."
Moments prior…
“Where do you want me to serve it?”
It had to be done 😂 @NickKyrgios https://t.co/ybozSmGSpu pic.twitter.com/o8Yl1X7xJl— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 3, 2022
The 27-year-old admitted he had struggled to get past his four-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, but was on his way.
"It was really hard, it took me a while to get over that loss," he said.
"Ever since I picked up a racquet that's always been a goal that I was told - Wimbledon final, Wimbledon championship.
"That's the highest accolade you can achieve and I was so close I could almost taste it.
"I feel like I've done everything I can to bounce back. I've been training hard, my body's feeling good, serving great so we'll see how it goes."
Earlier in the day, top-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev was a 6-4 6-2 winner over Englishman Jack Draper, while 16th seed Daniel Evans won the all-British contest with Kyle Edmund, 6-1 6-2.
Nick Kyrgios not playing Laver Cup
Kyrgios earlier on Tuesday revealed that he won't be playing the Laver Cup next month, instead choosing to spend some much-needed time with his family.
The Aussie star had represented Team World in all four previous editions of the event, but will be missing in 2022.
"No Laver Cup for me this year," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.
"Gotta have that home time with my family and beautiful girlfriend."
The 2022 edition of the Laver Cup will be held in London from September 23-25, with Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all representing Team Europe.
It will be the first time every member of the 'Big 4' plays the Laver Cup and the first time ever that they will all be teammates.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
