“I can’t ask for much more’ – Switched on Kyrgios flies past Fognini in Miami

Miami Open 2022: Men’s Singles Draw | Results | Order of Play

Resurgent Nick Kyrgios continues to reap the rewards of his newfound peace of mind. Kyrgios outclassed talented Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday in Miami to book a round of 16 appearance at the Miami Open.

Kyrgios jumps to 7-2 on the season and will return to the top-100 when the new ATP rankings are released after Miami. In truth, he looks more like a top-10 talent at the moment.

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In a much-hyped contest between two of the more enigmatic talents on the ATP Tour, Kyrgios was all business as he improved to 2-0 lifetime against Fognini.

“It’s not easy, Tennis TV and all these other platforms are hyping up the match – Kyrgios – Fognini –I had to really lock in,” Kyrgios said.

“Fabio hit some absolute laser beam forehands today which made me look pretty bad. I kept my head down… next point, next point, next point – I think that’s the mindset you have to have against him.” 

Kyrgios improves to 14-4 lifetime in Miami, where he is a two-time semifinalist. He will face either Jannik Sinner or Pablo Carreno Busta next.

Kyrgios – not taking anything for granted

Kyrgios has worked hard to become more comfortable in his own skin over the last year, and it shows in his tennis.

“I just wanted to stay in and I knew that if I came in with some energy and kind of jumped on him early that I was going to kind of run with it,” the 26-year-old said. “The way I’ve been playing the last couple of matches, I can’t ask for much more. The way I’m serving. I just feel like I’m not taking anything for granted. Miami Open, playing well, healthy – I’m going to take advantage of that.” 

Opening up about personal troubles is a sign of strength – not weakness

The Aussie said his high quality tennis is coming as a direct result of positive changes in his personal life. In a Tennis Channel interview after his victory he talked about the process of facing his demons.

“The people around me I kind of pushed them away, and those are the people that I needed the most,” Kyrgios said. “My family – I fell out of my family for a while, I’ve got a really good tight-knit group of people around me and I’m not afraid to open up anymore.

“I think that’s the biggest thing. I think males around my age really struggle with coming out, it’s a sign of weakness or something, I don’t think that’s the case at all, I think it’s a sign of strength in a way to be vulnerable and actually just tackle your problems head on. It’s all good to be feeling like you’re not enough, and I feel like that’s the best thing that I did, was just to admit that I was struggling, and now I’m playing some great tennis, happy, and that’s it.” 

• ATP seeds who won on Sunday: No 6 Casper Ruud, No 9 Jannik Sinner, No 10 Cameron Norrie, No 28 Frances Tiafoe
• ATP seeds who lost on Sunday: No 17 Pablo Carreno Busta, No 30 Alexander Bublik, No 31 Fabio Fognini,

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