By Alberto Amalfi | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Nick Kyrgios beat Tatsuma Ito, 6-3, 6-2, to reach his first quarterfinal since May at the Malaysian Open.
Photo credit: Malaysian Open
Nick Kyrgios returned to his roots to end a quarterfinal drought.
The seventh-seeded Kyrgios powered past Japan’s Tatsuma Ito, 6-3, 6-2, to set up a Malaysian Open quarterfinal clash with Ivo Karlovic.
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Kyrgios, whose mother Nill is Malaysian, advanced to his first quarterfinal since May when he reached his first ATP final on the red clay of Estoril, losing to Richard Gasquet.
The 20-year-old Kyrgios knows service breaks will be at a premium against the 36-year-old Karlovic, who smacked 18 aces in a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 triumph over Nikoloz Basilashvili.
“I thought I came out pretty strongly in this match and played well today," Kyrgios said. "It’s going to be tough, obviously, whenever you play against Ivo. His serve is the best in the game. I know that I got to look after my serve and be ready when my chances come.”
Playing his first match since his five-set setback to Jiri Vesely in the US Open second round, Karlovic found his rhythm as the match progressed. The third-seeded Croatian cracked 11 of his 18 aces in the last set.
“It was my first match after US Open so it was a little bit difficult in the beginning," said Karlovic, the oldest man to rank in the Top 20 since a 37-year-old Jimmy Connors in 1990. "In the end, I’m glad I got through and happy with the win.”
Benjamin Becker battled back from a set down to upset sixth-seeded Jeremy Chardy 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 and advance to the Malaysian Open quarterfinals for the second straight year.
The 74th-ranked German will play either fourth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov or Joao Sousa for a place in the semifinals.
“I won the important points. I broke him at 5-5, which was important and I got to serve it out," said Becker. "My year was tough and I have had many close matches like this, so this is a good achievement. I’m playing better. I think I’m on good track to get my confidence back.”
The 47th-ranked Sousa, fresh off reaching his third final of the season last week in St. Petersburg, was a 6-2, 6-2 victor over qualifier Michal Przysiezny.
The 2013 Kuala Lumpur champion defeated Dimitrov in their last meeting at the 2013 US Open.
“It feels great. Last year I couldn’t win it and this year I was coming here from the same situation of being a final," Sousa said. "It’s not easy to come from a tough trip and play a first round, but I was feeling very happy with the way I played. Mentally and physically I felt very good so I’m really happy to be in the second round.”
German qualifier Mischa Zverev overcame American Rajeev Ram 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3 and will face second-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Thursday.