ATP Stuttgart: Nick Kyrgios' Knee Woes Continue in Loss

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World no. 25 Nick Kyrgios played his first match since October last year at the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart. A two-time Stuttgart semi-finalist experienced a 7-5, 6-3 loss to Yibing Wu in 68 minutes, still dealing with a knee issue. Kyrgios underwent knee surgery in January, missing the start of the season and trying to shape up his game ahead of Wimbledon. He will have to wait until Halle to seek his first win in 2023 after Wu outplayed him in two quick sets. The Chinese played his first ATP match on grass and outplayed the Aussie in the crucial moments. Yibing defended both break points and grabbed two return games from three chances to emerge at the top in style. Kyrgios had his chances in the opening set, serving well until the closing stages and creating a break point in games one and 11. Wu defended them and grabbed a late break right before the tie break for a massive boost. The Chinese rattled off the final three games at 3-3 in the second set to move over the top and grab a notable victory.

Nick Kyrgios experienced a loss in his first match since October. 

Nick created a break chance in his first competitive game since October with a crafty slice. Yibing denied it with a forehand down the line winner and held at love with an ace to avoid an early setback. Kyrgios blasted an ace in the second game and held after deuces at 1-2 to remain on the positive side. Wu grabbed the sixth game with a backhand down the line winner, with Kyrgios failing to chase many of his opponent's balls. Nick landed an ace in the eighth game for 4-4, holding his left knee and struggling to move without the pain. The Wimbledon finalist clinched the tenth game with another ace and created a break chance in the next one with a forehand down the line winner.

Wu saved it with an ace and forced the rival's mistake for a vital hold and 6-5. Nick served to stay in the set in game 12 and hit a double fault to experience two set points. Yibing seized the second with a backhand down the line winner at the net that propelled him 7-5 in front. Both players served well early in the second set and reached 3-3 in no time. Kyrgios came from 40-15 down to deuce on the return in game seven before Wu held with two winners. The Aussie could not find free points from his initial shot in the eighth game, and the Chinese seized the first with a return winner to open a 5-3 gap. Yibing served for the victory in the ninth game and sealed the deal at love with an ace to earn his first ATP victory on grass.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/G6mR8ot

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