Kyrgios Walks Off Court, Isner Saves MP; Federer, Nadal Wed In Shanghai

After dropping the first set 7-6(5) to American Steve Johnson, Nick Kyrgios decided the best thing to do was to walk off the court. And that’s what the controversial did.

With no reason apparent the time, Kyrgios later released a statement that he was suffering from a stomach bug.

“Guys, I want to apologise to the fans in Shanghai and those that watched around the world on TV. I’ve been battling a stomach bug for the past 24 hours and I tried to be ready but I was really struggling on the court today which I think was pretty evident from the first point.

“My shoulder started to hurt in the practice which didn’t help either and once I lost the first set I was just not strong enough to continue because I’ve not eaten much in the past 24 hours,” he added.

”I‘m hoping to be okay for the doubles and will make a decision tomorrow morning, hopefully off of a good night’s sleep which I didn’t get last night. I‘m gutted to be honest to be honest as I was keen to keep the good momentum that I built in Beijing going and finish the year strong. I’ll do what I can to make sure I do.”

Of course, Kyrgios left Shanghai in shame a year ago after tanking to Mischa Zverev. Now this. Let’s see if any fines or punishment follows.

HOT TOPIC | @AlanJones, @RitaPanahi & @Natalie_Barr discuss Nick Kyrgios’ latest tennis tantrum.

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— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 10, 2017

In other matches, it was a good day for big men as Sam Querrey, Juan Martin del Potro, Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic and John Isner all advanced. Isner had a save a match point in 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(6) win over Dusan Lajovic.

And some of the younger stars took it on the chin. Kyle Edmund lost to Cilic, Lucas Pouille fell to Fabio Fognini, Rublev lost to Del Potro, Hyeong Chung was defeated by Richard Gasquet and Denis Shapovalov fell apart in a 6-7, 6-3, 6-0 loss to Viktor Troicki.

On Wednesday, former champion Roger Federer and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal headline play along with Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov.

Federer, who meets the improving Diego Schwartzman, says he’s happy and healthy.

“I had good practice after the Laver Cup,” Federer said. “I played well there. And then came early to Tokyo and here since Thursday night. I have arrived as early as ever here in Shanghai for the tournament, and, you know, have been practicing for hours on the center court. Have been kept busy, as well, which gets me into the right mindset, to be quite honest, because I’m here for a reason, here for a purpose, trying to do well, hopefully winning the tournament.

“It’s definitely one of the goals of the season for me here, this tournament. I always make it as a priority that I will be in good shape for Shanghai, and then the rest sort of takes care of itself after that: Basel, the indoor season, and London. I’m happy I’m here and happy I’m healthy. So that’s good.”

WEDNESDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 1:00 pm
R. Harrison (USA) vs [6] G. Dimitrov (BUL)
A. Bedene (GBR) vs [3] A. Zverev (GER)
Not Before 6:00 pm
[1] R. Nadal (ESP) vs J. Donaldson (USA)
Not Before 8:00 pm
D. Schwartzman (ARG) vs [2] R. Federer (SUI)

UNION PAY 3 start 1:00 pm
[10] S. Querrey (USA) vs [Q] F. Tiafoe (USA)
[8] D. Goffin (BEL) vs G. Simon (FRA)
[Q] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [12] J. Isner (USA)
[5] D. Thiem (AUT) vs V. Troicki (SRB)