Nick Kyrgios wins first singles match over Marcos Giron since losing Wimbledon final
Kyrgios will face Tommy Paul in the second round
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Nick Kyrgios beat American Marcos Giron at the Citi Open on Tuesday, the Australian's first singles match since reaching the Wimbledon final.
Less than a month since reaching his first Grand Slam final before losing to Novak Djokovic, Kyrgios defeated Giron 6-2, 6-3. It won't help him get over falling short at Wimbledon, which has not been easy. But, winning more may boost his confidence.
"That was like the golden opportunity I felt for me," Kyrgios said of Wimbledon. "There are so many things I would have done differently I think now that I have digested that match, but I’m doing all the right things to put myself in that position again. I think I’m doing that, and my whole team is helping me achieve that goal."
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Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, reacts during a match against Marcos Giron, of the United States, at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Following a tradition he started when he won this hard-court tuneup for the U.S. Open in 2019, he asked a fan where he should serve for match point and moved on to face Tommy Paul in the round of 32.
"I wish I had that experience when I was watching tennis matches," Kyrgios said. "I think it’s just a cool experience for someone that’s paid money to come watch you play and potentially to go home with that memory."
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Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, prepares to hit a forehand to Marcos Giron, of the United States, at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Kyrgios is trying to move past the memory of losing to Djokovic at Wimbledon and bowing out in the first round of the Citi Open a year ago. It helps that he thinks he's playing some of the best tennis of his career.
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Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, reacts during a match against Marcos Giron, of the United States, at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
"I’m having a great year," he said. "I think if Wimbledon had points, I think I’d be around top 15, top 20 in the world. I definitely feel like I’m playing that level of tennis — if not top 10, top five at the moment."
Top-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the round of 16, beating Jack Draper 6-4, 6-2. In the women's draw, Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic beat American Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-4.