Confident Kyrgios sets sights on third round
Nick Kyrgios plans on bossing his way into the third round of the US Open in New York.
Nick Kyrgios plans to make history of sorts in New York. Photo: Julio Cortez / AAP
Kyrgios takes on Horacio Zeballos and, while respectful of the veteran Argentine, is confident of advancing to the last 32 of all four grand slam events in a single season for the first time.
Zeballos’s impressive first-round victory on Tuesday was his first at a grand slam in more than three years and just his fifth at major level in a 13-year pro career.
“He obviously beat Florian Mayer, who isn’t an easy player to beat,” Kyrgios said of the world No.71.
“The guy has been around for a long time, obviously had a couple of injuries or illnesses. I’m not too sure.
“He missed a couple years or year or something. Before that he was a guy who was dangerous.
“He won a (Challenger) title this year, so he can definitely play.
“I’m guessing it was a hell of a match (against Mayer). I’m not going to do anything different.”
Playing in his terms was enough to secure a routine straight-sets first-round win over Aljaz Bedene.
The only thing uncomfortable for Kyrgios was his hip, for which he sought treatment mid-match.
But the 14th seed said the minor injury was nothing more than wear and tear.
“I actually upped my training a little bit. Went to Miami, Boca, did a lot of training,” Kyrgios said.
“Obviously with the US Open I wanted to find my form and, I don’t know, just a bit of a load but it’s okay. It’s nothing to worry about.”
Victory would progress Kyrgios to a date on Saturday with either Bernard Tomic’s first-round conqueror Damir Dzumhur or Illya Marchenko.
Kyrgios warmed up for Zeballos with an entertaining first-round doubles win overnight with British partner Dan Evans.
Samantha Stosur also warmed up for her second-round singles match with a doubles win.
The only difference was Stosur partnered her second-round singles foe, world No.51 Zhang Shaui.
But Australia’s 2011 champion must put her friendship aside when she bids to repeat her French Open success over Zhang with another victory on Friday, Australian time, to move into the third round in New York for the fifth time in the past seven years.
If she wins, 16th-seeded Stosur will play either Qiang Wang or Yaroslava Shvedova on Saturday for a spot in the last 16.
-AAP
