'I had to be locked in' - Nick Kyrgios dominates on serve to beat Tommy Paul and reach ATP Houston quarters
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ByEurosport
Published 07/04/2022 at 08:10 GMT
Nick Kyrgios put in a composed, measured performance to defeat Tommy Paul at the The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship on Wednesday night. Speaking after the straight sets win, Kyrgios said victory over Paul was "probably one of the better matches I have played on clay in my career". Kyrgios will play lucky loser Michael Mmoh, who defeated Sam Querrey in 6-2 6-4, next.
Highlights: Kyrgios in good form as he eases past Paul in Houston
Nick Kyrgios is into the quarter-finals of the The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship for the first time since 2018 after defeating Tommy Paul 6-4 6-2.
The Australian overcame the American who is no stranger to clay, having won the 2015 French Open boys’ singles title, in 70 minutes.
He will face another American - Michael Mmoh - in the next round of the ATP 250 competition after registering back-to-back wins.
Kyrgios, who has opted to skip this year’s European clay court swing including the French Open, had not competed on clay since 2019 but he says his win over Paul was one of his best on the surface in his career.
"He is a very good player,” the 26-year-old said in his on-court interview after the match.
"He is young and he has already shown what he can do and who he can beat. I had to be locked in today, I knew that I had to serve well.
"Probably one of the better matches I have played on clay in my career. I'm pretty happy with the way I came out here today, head down and went to work."
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Kyrgios pleased after 'one of my better matches' on clay
Kyrgios’ serve was his key to victory over Paul. He won 88 per cent of his first serve points and slammed down 10 aces.
The decisive break in the first set came in the fifth game. In the second, Kyrgios broke Paul’s serve in the opening game before doing so again to take a 5-2 lead. He won the match on his serve on his first match point.
Kyrgios knew his serve was ultimately what steered him to victory.
He added: “I’ve been serving really well, so I just wanted to keep to good habits.”
After the match the world No. 94 also spoke of his enjoyment competing in USA.
"You guys make me feel at home,” he said. "I have always said if I didn't live in Australia, I live in the States.
"I love the States, I love the NBA (National Basketball Association), I love basketball. People are just so nice here and most of my good friends on Tour are Americans.
"Jack Sock, you know, he is a brother of mine. So I just love playing in the States, it is a lot of fun and it's great conditions here."
Kyrgios could face Reilly Opelka in the semi-final. The American No.3 seed will play qualifier Gijs Brouwer next after the Dutchman defeated JJ Wolf 6-1, 6-1.
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