Google News Nick Kyrgios blasts his 'average performance' against Mackenzie McDonald
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Former world No. 13 Nick Kyrgios blasted his performance following a first round exit at the Citi Open in Washington. Kyrgios, now ranked at No. 77 in the world, suffered a surprise loss in Washington opener as he was beaten by American Mackenzie McDonald.
McDonald, ranked at No. 107 in the world, handed a 6-4 6-4 loss to Kyrgios to progress into the Washington second round. "Ultimately, I know I can't be too hard on myself. I haven't played a lot of matches or any of that type of stuff," Kyrgios said, per the Atp website.
"I played pretty average. My body feels pretty average." Kyrgios saved a break point in the first game but also failed to convert a break point in the fourth game. McDonald then realized his fourth break point of the match in the ninth game, before serving out for the opener a game later.
McDonald then saved a break point in the fourth game, before breaking Kyrgios in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead in the second set. Kyrgios saved two match points in the ninth game but McDonald served out for the match in the 10th game.
Kyrgios gave credit to McDonald
"But he played well. He made enough returns. He played the big points well. He should be proud. He's a good player. He's a great guy, as well. I'm not taking anything away from him," Kyrgios admitted.
Meanwhile, No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime recovered from a set down to beat Andreas Seppi 2-6 6-2 6-2. “To dig deep and to find a way to, I guess, win ugly in a way and come back from really a poor set of tennis in the first, to come back and win it – yeah, it's good that I can also win matches that way,” Auger-Aliassime said.
“Not only playing my best tennis and winning in straight sets”. Rising American star Brandon Nakashima also made a positive start to his first-ever campaign in Washington, beating Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-3. "it's always tough, especially when you're playing the final of one tournament and then having to bounce back the next day or a couple days later and play another new tournament against another top player," Nakashima said.
"I just try to tell myself to just stay calm out there, just focus on what I do best. All these hard-court matches have helped me with my confidence in my game, knowing that I can compete with all these top guys if I bring my best game out there."
