04 March,2017 12:00 PM IST | | AFP
Kyrgios stuns World No. 2 Djokovic 7-6 (11/9), 7-5 to enter semi-finals
Australia's Nick Kyrgios returns against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Mexico Open quarter-final on Thursday. pic/AFP
Acapulco (Mexico): Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios shocked Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the Mexico Open, dealing a major blow to the world number two's hopes of regaining his mantle of invincibility.
The 21-year-old Kyrgios overpowered Djokovic with 25 aces in the 7-6 (11/9), 7-5 triumph as the Serb sought to rebuild confidence after his shattering second round defeat at the Australian Open in January.
The Australian, letting his tennis skills take centre stage instead of his tantrums, won 81 percent of his first-serve points as he dominated his first ever match with Djokovic.
Serbian Novak Djokovic
"This is what I dreamed of as a little kid, playing on these great venues against some of the greatest players in the world," said Kyrgios. "I never have a problem getting up for these matches. I wasn't thinking about winning at any stage," he added. "I knew I had to stay in the moment because I've been in situations where matches have gotten away from me, so I had to stay switched on the whole time. I knew that if I just waited and waited, eventually I'd get my chance," Kyrgios concluded.
