By Chris Oddo | Thursday October 8, 2015
Nick Kyrgios was pitch-perfect in shotmaking and temperament in downing Roberto Bautista Agut in straights.
Photo Source: Atsushi Tomura/Getty
Who was that 20-year-old Aussie that exuded an air of confidence to go with positive body language and reticence on Thursday in Tokyo? Yes, that’s right, it was Nick Kyrgios.
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Normally known for bad boy antics and a tempestuous on-court demeanor, Kyrgios was calm and cool as a cucumber as he defused hard-hitting Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals of the Rakuten Japan Open.
Kyrgios was strong from the start, breaking in the first game and dropping only four points on serve to cruise through the first set. And he was stronger at the finish, as he broke the World No. 22 twice on three break points to race to victory in 56 minutes.
The bomb-serving Aussie did not face a break point all afternoon and he only dropped eight points on serve in his nine service games to set up a quarterfinal with either Benoit Paire or Marcos Baghdatis.
More impressive than his tennis was Kyrgios’ body language. Embroiled in controversy so often this season, the World No. 34 appears to have found a way to channel his energy in the right direction. He had great energy and played focused tennis from start to finish. There was a spring in his step and a pop to his shots, as well.
Kyrgios finished with a tidy 17 winners against only eight unforced errors, and he won 78 percent of his second-serve points.
The Aussie improves to 23-16 on the season, while Bautista Agut drops to 33-25.
In other round of 16 action at Tokyo, American Austin Krajicek reached his second career quarterfinal by edging Joao Sousa, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, for the second-biggest win of his career rankings-wise.
Krajicek will meet top-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.
Sixth-seeded Marin Cilic was also a winner on a sunny Thursday in Tokyo. The Croatian defeated American Steve Johnson, 6-3, 6-3, saving all five break points he faced to set up a quarterfinal clash with Kei Nishikori.