Nick Kyrgios is set to fall to his lowest ranking in four years after suffering a loss in the second round of the Brisbane International.
The reigning champion failed to capitalize on a one set lead as he crashed out 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3, to France’s Jeremy Chardy. A player who is only rankled five places lower than him at 40th in the world. It wasn’t a completely disappointing performance from Kyrgios, who hit 34 winners to 22 unforced errors, but he was unable to take advantage in the crunch moments against a solid Chardy.
“It was a tough match, Nick is an amazing player. He is an amazing server.” Said Chardy.
“Today I played really solid and I am really happy with the win.’
“I’m Sorry for Nick, he’s my friend outside of the court and it’s always difficult to play against somebody you like.”
Brisbane is the 10th consecutive tournament where Kyrgios has failed to reach the quarter-final stage. As a result of his latest defeat, the Australian will drop out of the top 50 when the rankings are updated on Monday. It will be the first time he has done so since 2015.
As Kyrgios exits the tournament, Chardy has secured a last-eight showdown with World No.185 Yasutaka Uchiyama, who stunned third seed Kyle Edmund 7-6(6), 6-4.
It is the first time Chardy has reached the last eight of an ATP event since the Fever-Tree Championships back in June.
Dimitrov in the groove
Sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov has won back-to-back matches at the same tournament for the first time since June after brushing aside John Millman 6-3, 6-4. Dimitrov, who is currently on a 13-month title drought, had a tricky time closing out the match. Leading 6-3, 4-1, he faced some last-minute resistance from Milman. Getting broken twice in the second set to be levelled 4-4. Despite the scare, the Bulgarian went on to break for the fourth time and closed the match out.
“It was a great match. I feel positive from it … I was moving well,” Dimitrov said. “Step by step, match by match, I want to get better. My movement went really well. He came up with some beautiful shots.”
Now a win away from reaching his first semi-final in almost nine months, Dimitrov faces a tricky task in the next round. Awaiting him will be Japan’s Kei Nishikori, whom he trails 1-4 in their head-to-head. Nishikori breezed past America’s Denis Kudlas 7-5, 6-2, in 81 minutes.
“[I’m] excited to play Dimi. He’s obviously a good player. And I’m sure it’s going to be a great match, so hopefully I can have good tennis again,” Nishikori said.
Dimitrov’s sole win over Nishikori occurred at the 2017 Brisbane International when he prevailed in three sets in the final.
Finally, 2016 champion Milos Raonic also progressed. The Canadian fired an impressive 21 aces during his 6-3, 7-6(2), win over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović. In total Raonic lost just 12 points behind his serve throughout the entire match.
Raonic will play the winner of the match between Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev.
