Advertisement

Nick Kyrgios wins on court but loses to no-nonsense French Open umpire

Nick Kyrgios moves through to the French Open second round in straight but not without an argument.

Nick Kyrgios moves through to the French Open second round in straight but not without an argument. Photo: AP

Nick Kyrgios has swiftly dismissed Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets to move on to the second round of the French Open, but the victory did not come without an argument.

While appearing to be on cruise control for most of the match, there was one colourful exchange with chair umpire Jake Garner during a changeover.

The pair argued over whether or not a mark could be seen on the clay surface after Kyrgios disagreed with a call.

“Where’s the mark?,” Krygios asked. “Where is it?”

“I told you exactly where the ball hit,” Garner replied.

“When I see the ball hit the line, I call the ball good. You ask where it hit, I’m going to tell you where it hit, on the line.”

Kyrgios then attempted to argue his case with a bizarre analogy: “If I was speeding and you don’t catch me, where is the evidence?”

But the evidently irritated umpire’s retort was so lengthy even a worked-up Kyrgios seemed to give in, opting to return to the court rather than continue to rev up the umpire.

The odd confrontation did not go unnoticed, with many fans commenting on social media about the umpire’s steadfastness .

“When you want Kyrgios to just shut up and play tennis, but the umpire fights back,” one tennis fan, Chris Avnell, wrote on Twitter.

Umpire clash aside, Kyrgios played an impressive opening match in his French Open campaign.

Australia’s 18th seed plundered 20 aces in a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over the world No. 43.

Kyrgios is due to next face either big-serving South African Kevin Anderson or Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri on Thursday for a place in the final 32 in Paris for what would be his third straight year.

The 22-year-old arrived at Roland Garros under a fitness cloud, nursing a chronic hip injury as well as a shoulder niggle on his serving arm.

The two-time grand slam quarter-finalist is continuing to receive round-the-clock treatment amid locker-room talk that he may require surgery.

But Kyrgios insists he merely needs rest and displayed no signs of any discomfort in overcoming Kohlschreiber — a vastly experienced campaigner and regular second-week challenger at the majors — in one hour and 51 minutes.

The Australian gained the only break of the opening set in the sixth game and closed out the second set in a tiebreaker with his 14th ace.

Holding all 15 of his service games, Kyrgios’ second break of serve in the fifth game of the third set was enough to finish off Kohlschreiber.

Fellow Australian Ashleigh Barty wasn’t so lucky – she crashed out in straight sets in her first round match against American Madison Keys.

– With AAP

Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.