Nick Kyrgios ‘really proud’ to set battle with ‘hell of a player’ at Miami Open

Nick Kyrgios played his always entertaining and unique style of tennis to down French Veteran Adrian Mannarino in the first round of the Miami Masters. 

The Australian closed out a tough opening set in a tiebreak before sealing the match 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 over the 61st ranked Mannarino.

Kyrgios will next take on fifth seeded world number seven Andrey Rublev who enters Miami off the back of a run to the semi-finals of Indian Wells.

Kyrgios said: “It was a hell of a performance.

“Getting on late, it wasn’t easy, so I’m really proud of myself with the way I responded.

“I felt good, I competed well today against a tough opponent.”

The victory brings Kyrgios to a 5-2 win-loss record so far this year as he looks to break back into the top 100 from his current ranking of 102.

Last week, Indian Wells represented the best Masters 1000 run from Kyrgios since 2017, the last time he reached a quarter-final or further at that level.

Rublev will be a tough test for the 26-year-old as the Russian is 18-3 in 2022 with two titles to his name, second only to Rafael Nadal for most wins on the ATP tour this season.

Kyrgios is 1-1 against Rublev with their last meeting coming over two and a half years ago at the 2019 US Open, which the Russian won in straight sets.

“He’s a hell of a player,” Kyrgios said of Rublev.

“Obviously we all know what he’s capable of and I’m going into that match as a complete underdog.

“But I feel confident, if I’m serving well and playing well from the back I can beat anyone, and everyone knows that.

“I’m excited.”

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