PETE ZIEBRON in CINCINNATI
Nick Kyrgios dazzled the Cincinnati crowd against Lucas Rouille. Pete Ziebron Images
How good was Nick Kyrgios last night against Lucas Pouille in Cincinnati? The 14th seeded Australian hit 5 aces in one game en route to a 6-2 7-5 victory in just 67 minutes.
Just as the clock struck midnight this morning at the Western & Southern Open, Nick Kyrgios crushed his 16th ace to wrap up his first round win.
At times in the first set, the game of tennis seemed like it was all too easy for Kyrgios as he wrapped up the opening set in 29 minutes. He broke Pouille to open the match and would hold his serve with ease except for the sixth game when he saved 3 break points. These would be the only break points he would face all night and this was also the game when he hit 5 aces, including 2 consecutive aces to win the game.
Pouille started to play better in the second set and opened with a solid hold of serve. In fact both players held serve comfortably throughout the set. The only game in the first ten that even went to deuce was the second game when Kyrgios served at 0-1. Kyrgios would win the next two points and then in his next service game, he hit 3 consecutive aces to win the fourth game, leveling the set at 2-2.
Frenchman Lucas Pouille started to play better in the second set vs. Kyrgios. Pete Ziebron Images
With Pouille serving at 5-5, Kyrgios finally had break opportunities and converted on his second opportunity. Then, serving for the match, Kyrgios started and ended the game with an ace to close the contest and advance to the second round.
Following the match on the on-court interview, Kyrgios was quick to point out that he was both happy as well as surprised at how well he played against the recent Wimbledon quarterfinalist, especially in the opening set.
Nick Kyrgios advances to the 2nd round in Cincinnati. Pete Ziebron Images
Next, In a battle of ATP young guns, Nick Kyrgios will face Borna Coric of Croatia. Coric rallied from one set down on Sunday to defeat Frenchman Benoit Paire. The match will be highly anticipated and both players may very well appear on Center Court for their initial two matches at the Western & Southern Open.
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