Nick Kyrgios capitulates in 21-minute second set in Miami Open defeat
A frustrated Nick Kyrgios let go of the rope late in his loss to Karen Khachanov at the Miami Open, winning just seven points in the second set in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 defeat.
It was his second match in three days after his first-round victory over Mackenzie Macdonald, his first tour-level win in two-and-a-half years due to a wrist problem.
The first and second sets looked completely different for Kyrgios.
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He was heavily engaged in the first frame, with it lasting an hour against the 22nd seed Khachanov, who was tested from the baseline by the Wimbledon finallist.
However, his mindset changed when he missed a chance to go 3-1 up in the tiebreak, mishitting a forehand that basically handed the point to his opponent.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts to a lost point against Karen Khachanov. Getty
The missed opportunity seemed to sink Kyrgios, who perhaps was wondering if his body would hold up, leading to Khachanov to take control of the tie-breaker.
It was all down hill from there as the Australian's irritation was palpable in the second, with unforced errors chewing up any chance he had of a comeback and stoking his anger.
Kyrgios began muttering to himself, expressed frustration with his team and even began to favour a problem shoulder as he provided a running commentary on everything that got under his skin.
He smashed one ball high out of court to earn a warning from the umpire and by match point he had his 30th unforced error, a long forehand which saw Kyrgios capitulate in a second set that took just 21 minutes.
Khachanov will play Grigor Dimitrov in the last-32, while Perth qualifier Tristan Schoolkate was also eliminated, beaten by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-4.
