Every News: Nadal blasts Kyrgios for ‘lack of respect’

Nadal blasts Kyrgios for ‘lack of respect’
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ACAPULCO, Mexico: Rafael Nadal accused Nick Kyrgios of lacking respect “for the public, the opponent and himself” after a stormy defeat to the Australian firebrand at the Mexico Open.Kyrgios survived three match points to beat top-seeded Nadal 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (8/6) on Wednesday and reach the quarter-finals.However, 17-time major winner Nadal was furious with Kyrgios who at one stage complained of being sick, served underarm late in the match before cupping his ear to the boos of the crowd at the conclusion of the second round tie.“He is a player with huge talent and could be winning Grand Slams or fighting for the number one ranking,” said Nadal. “But he lacks respect for the public, the opponent and for himself.” Kyrgios, ranked 72 in the world, hit back at Nadal. Nadal, playing his first tournament since falling to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, had three chances to close out Wednesday’s match after taking a 6-3 lead in the third-set tiebreaker. Kyrgios saved the first with a leaping drop shot, and the second with a net-skimming volley.Nadal was just wide with a passing shot to make it 6-6, double-faulted to give Kyrgios a chance and sailed a backhand long to end the match after three hours and three minutes. Kyrgios screamed and dropped to the court in celebration — a conclusion that seemed unlikely when he complained to a trainer after the opening set that he was feeling ill but feared the fallout should he retire. Kyrgios steeled himself to continue, and distractions seemed forgotten as he became absorbed in the battle.Down 0-40 in the ninth game of the second set, Kyrgios saved four break points to keep the set on serve and raced to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker.Mexico Open ATP/WTA results (x denotes seed):Men 2nd rd: Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (8/6)Stan Wawrinka (SUI) bt Steve Johnson (USA x7) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4John Isner (USA x3) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4, 6-4John Millman (AUS x8) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-0, 6-2Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Frances Tiafoe (USA x6) 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-3Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x4) 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3Alex de Minaur (AUS x5) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) walkoverAlexander Zverev (GER x2) bt David Ferrer (ESP) 7-6 (7/0), 6-1Women 2nd rdBeatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) bt Sloane Stephens (USA x1) 6-3, 6-3Wang Yafan (CHN) bt Mónica Puig (PUR) 4-1 retiredDonna Vekic (CRO x3) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-4, 7-5Johanna Konta (GBR x8) bt Varvara Flink (RUS) 6-4, 6-1Zheng Saisai (CHN x7) bt Tímea Babos (HUN) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3Bianca Andreescu (CAN) bt Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROU x4) 6-2, 7-5Sofia Kenin (USA x5) bt Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-4, 4-1 retiredVictoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-2, 6-1. —AFP