Miami: Nick Kyrgios fights laborious in opposition to Khachanov earlier than permitting a bagel

Nick Kyrgios will depart Miami with constructive vibes. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist notched his first ATP win since October 2022 earlier than falling to Karen Khachanov within the second spherical. The Aussie fought effectively within the opener earlier than fading from the court docket.

Karen grabbed a 7-6, 6-0 triumph in an hour and 16 minutes, prevailing within the opener and bageling his opponent very quickly in set quantity two for a spot within the final 32. Kyrgios performed effectively in opposition to Mackenzie McDonald within the first spherical.

He survived two difficult video games within the opening set in opposition to Karen earlier than shedding the tie break. The Aussie had nothing extra left within the tank, accumulating seven factors in set quantity two and hitting the exit door.

Depois de set extremamente equilibrado, Kyrgios leva pneu e cai na segunda rodada do Masters 1000 de Miami para Khachanov.

Australiano segue sem vencer duas seguidas desde outubro de 2022.#TenisNaESPN

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— Marcela Linhares (@ma__linharess) March 21, 2025

Khachanov served at 75% and dropped 11 factors in his video games. The Russian saved two break factors within the sixth recreation of the opening set and stored the strain on the opposite aspect. The Aussie defended three break factors within the opener earlier than fading from the court docket in set quantity two.

Nick landed 18 service winners and produced 22 direct factors and 30 unforced errors. Khachanov counted 27 unreturned serves and tamed his strokes properly with 16 winners and 12 errors. Karen had the higher hand within the shortest, mid-range and essentially the most superior rallies.

Karen Khachanov, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

They served effectively within the opening 5 video games, and Kyrgios had an opportunity to seize a break at 3-2. The Aussie landed a forehand winner and generated two break possibilities. Khachanov saved them with winners and remained on the constructive aspect.

Nick saved a break level in recreation seven with a service winner and confronted one other take a look at at 5-5. The Aussie denied two break factors and survived till the tie break. Kyrgios led 2-0 earlier than lacking a routine forehand within the fourth level.

He sprayed one other forehand error to fall behind and located himself 5-2 down after Karen’s service winner. Kyrgios despatched a backhand lengthy and confronted 4 set factors. Karen landed a service winner on the second, clinching the opener 7-6 in 56 minutes.

Nick had nothing extra left within the tank. He performed a horrible drop shot within the second recreation to drop serve. Khachanov cemented the lead with a service winner in recreation three and made one other push on the return within the subsequent one.

The Aussie hit a double fault and fell 4-0 behind. Kyrgios served to remain within the match at 0-5 and positioned a forehand lengthy, shedding serve for the third straight time and hitting the exit door.