The Australian easily overcame his compatriot Alex de Minaur in two sets.
Nick Kyrgios was in a hurry on Thursday: the day after his convincing victory over world No.1 Daniil Medvedev, the Australian only took 1h04 to sweep his compatriot Alex De Minaur and rush into the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 in Montreal, where the will be waiting for Hubert Hurkacz.
To say that the 37th in the world is euphoric, since his lost final at Wimbledon in early July and his title in Washington last week, which ended a three-year drought, is an understatement. Kyrgios outclassed 21st-placed Minaur 6-2, 6-3, his 15th victory in 16 matches.
«I am happy with my performance today. After beating Medvedev yesterday my confidence is incredibly high“, he agreed.
Formidable in power and efficiency, he took his compatriot by the throat from the start, breaking him twice in a row. He won the first four games in 11 minutes, succeeding in just about everything he undertook, whether from the baseline or on the volley.
The start of the second set was slightly more contested, De Minaur taking advantage of a relaxation from his opponent to unbreak. But Kyrgios immediately recovered by taking the serve in stride, to then increase his advantage with a double-break.
The Australian, as talented as he was volcanic, still swung a few points at 5-2 30/0 on his serve, leaving De Minaur to reduce the score. But after getting annoyed out loud in the direction of his camp in the stands, as often happens to him, he finished the job cleanly.
Kyrgios is therefore continuing his more than perfect North American summer, which has been illustrating a real renaissance for a few months, after two dark years weighed down by depression and suicidal thoughts.
More than two weeks before the US Open, he appears, in the probable absence of Novak Djokovic, prevented from entering the United States because he has not been vaccinated, as a very serious candidate for the title. In the same way as the holder and world No.1 Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal, also back in the forefront in 2022 with his coronations at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, which brought his record to 22 Majors won.
But the 27-year-old must first continue his journey in Montreal, despite fatigue that is beginning to weigh on his legs. “I have to play the game, physio, eat, sleep, play. It’s grueling, but that’s sport. I kinda miss home, I’m not going to lie. I haven’t seen my mom and dad for about three months.»
Ruud thanks the weather gods
His next opponent will be Hubert Hurkacz (10th), who barely defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos (43rd) 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-6 (7/3). The Pole beat him this year, for their first confrontation, in the semi-finals of the Halle grass tournament, which he then won.
Casper Ruud, who remains the highest-ranked player in the draw after the early eliminations of Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, also qualified, beating 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4 ) 6-4 Roberto Bautista, after a fight of 3h19.
In search of a fourth title this season, after those gleaned on the clay courts of Buenos Aires, Geneva and Gstaad, the Norwegian did not lack “thank the weather gods“, the interruption of the match after the second set, for 69 minutes, due to the rain, having “allowed to take a breather and regain some energy».
He will need some in quarters against the regional of the stage Felix Auger-Aliassime (9th), expeditious (6-3, 6-4) to take his revenge on the Briton Cameron Norrie (11th), who had beaten him in half in Los Cabos last week.
Other qualifiers, the American Tommy Paul (34th) and the Briton Daniel Evans (39th) who will be opposed on Friday.
Jack Draper (82nd), who took advantage of the abandonment of Gaël Monfils (20th), hit in the right foot, will face the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (23rd).