Kyrgios stuns world No 8 Ruud for biggest win in over two years

Kyrgios is through to the fourth round in Indian Wells where he will meet 10th seed Jannik Sinner

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) hits a forehand during the BNP Paribas Open on March 11, 2022 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells,

March 15, 2022

ATP Indian Wells Masters 1000 | Results | Schedule

Nick Kyrgios has time and again said that when his game is on, he can compete and beat the world’s best players. On Monday, the 26-year-old Australian displayed power & finesse to upset world No 8 Casper Ruud, of Norway, in straight sets for his first top 10 win since January 2020.

Kyrgios’ serve was on song throughout the much-anticipated third-round clash against Ruud after the pair famously traded barbs on social media over the Norwegian’s abilities on hard courts a couple of years ago.

But again, I also understand why you have to keep my name in your mouth, because people dont even realise that you play tennis 😂 goodluck in Milan champ x
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 24, 2019

Playing like he had a point to prove, Kyrgios broke Ruud’s serve in the very first game of the match and held that break to win the set 6-4. He broke again at 1-1 in the second set and served out the match 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 16 minutes.

Nick Moves Forward ➡@NickKyrgios ousts Ruud 6-4 6-4 to set up a R4 encounter against Sinner!

Hasn't dropped serve all week…#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/SzXYUpetpn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 15, 2022

Kyrgios, who did not face a single break point in the match and has yet to drop his serve through three matches, hit 7 aces and won 82 percent of his first serve points during the match. The win levelled the head-to-head between the two players at 1-1.

Next up for Kyrgios, a first clash against Sinner

Kyrgios, who teamed up with countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title, will face another big test in the next round against 10th seeded Jannik Sinner.

The 20-year-old Italian scored a 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. After being down 5-2 in the final set, Bonzi made one final push and broke Sinner to come back to 5-4. However, the Italian held his serve to complete the win in two hours and 37 minutes.

Kyrgios and Sinner have never played before and their fourth-round clash will be their first on the ATP Tour.