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Madrid Open: Kyrgios knocks Wawrinka out; Djokovic advances

Last updated on: May 05, 2016 07:57 IST

Nick Kyrgios

IMAGE: Nick Kyrgios of Australia argues with match umpire Mohamed Lahyani during his straight sets victory against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

Australian Nick Kyrgios let his tennis do the talking against Stanislas Wawrinka as he knocked the fourth seed out of the Madrid Open with a scintillating display on Wednesday.

Last year the 20-year-old got a suspended 28-day ban and $25,000 fine after making lurid remarks about Swiss Wawrinka's girlfriend during their match at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

Kyrgios, who has had several brushes with authority, was widely criticised, but his 7-6(7), 7-6(2) second round victory on Wednesday was further proof of a growing maturity after he won his first ATP title earlier this year in Marseille.

There was the odd outburst at the umpire, one after a first serve during the first-set tiebreak was called out despite appearing to clip the line, but Kyrgios kept his emotions in check to edge a tight tussle.

Japan's Kei Nishikori, the sixth seed, had a narrow escape before joining Kyrgios in the third round.

Italy's Fabio Fognini recovered from losing the opening set to level the match and served for the match at 5-4 in the decider before imploding.

Nishikori won 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic was back to his ruthless best as he thumped Croatian tyro Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic, who had not played in Madrid since 2013, served four double faults but relied on his return to overpower Coric.

"I thought I was serving quite well in the practice sessions, but then the first set went well, the second, not so much," said Djokovic, who claimed his only Madrid title in 2011 when he beat Rafael Nadal in the final.

Source: REUTERS
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