Tennis: Kyrgios out, Ferrer and Lopez in
Malaysian showdown
Top seeds David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez
set up an all-Spanish affair in the final while
volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios fell short of
reaching his second professional final at the
Malaysian Open on Saturday.
Ferrer recovered from a set down to
overcome Benjamin Becker from Germany 3-6,
6-2, 6-4 in a 125-minute battle.
I needed to be more aggressive on the
forehand and that worked for me in the
second and third game,” the world number
eight told reporters.
I have only played once before this
tournament, but my fitness was good today
and I hope to keep this consistency on
Sunday.”
Second seed Feliciano Lopez booked a berth in
the final by defeating Kyrgios 7-6 (7/2), 7-6
(7/5).
The match was close and could have gone
either way, but I’m proud of the way I played.
I needed to be aggressive and was happy that
my volleys and serves worked out well,” said
the 34-year-old Lopez.
Lopez also dismissed any talks of retirement.
People have been asking me, when will you
quit? I tell them I am not done yet, I take it
one year at a time. As long as I stay healthy
and can challenge the best in the world, I
don’t have a specific plan,” he said.
Despite his defeat, Kyrgios is nonetheless
eyeing a higher ranking as he seeks to put this
season’s controversies behind.
The Australian, whose temper and crude on-
court comments have earned him a “bad boy”
image, kept his emotions in check in Malaysia.
The seventh seed hammered 13 aces but
struggled with Lopez’s deft dropshots and
volleys.
I was looking good today, but he came up with
some ridiculous volleys today and you have to
appreciate something like that,” said Kyrgios,
who applauded some of the Spaniard’s return
winners on court.
It was a great game of tennis and he did
enough to come away with the win.”
Kyrgios made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon
and the Australian Open this year, but his play
has been overshadowed by his behaviour.
In August, he was fined for his now-infamous
on-court comment to Stan Wawrinka at the
Rogers Cup, a sexual slur concerning the Swiss
player’s girlfriend that triggered widespread
condemnation.
He faces a possible suspension of 28 days if he
commits further transgressions.
I tend to get upset when something stupid
happens, like when the linesman gets a line
call wrong, but today was a really good
game,” he said.
Now at number 41 in the world, Kyrgios is
eyeing a move up.
I want to get into the top 32. That’s my goal.
I’m not the biggest goal-setter but I’m happy
with my performance,” he said.
His career-high ranking is 25, reached earlier
this year.
I’ll just have to get back up and keep
competing again,” he said.
The only other final Kyrgios has reached was
the Estoril Open in May, where he lost to
Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Malaysian showdown
Top seeds David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez
set up an all-Spanish affair in the final while
volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios fell short of
reaching his second professional final at the
Malaysian Open on Saturday.
Ferrer recovered from a set down to
overcome Benjamin Becker from Germany 3-6,
6-2, 6-4 in a 125-minute battle.
I needed to be more aggressive on the
forehand and that worked for me in the
second and third game,” the world number
eight told reporters.
I have only played once before this
tournament, but my fitness was good today
and I hope to keep this consistency on
Sunday.”
Second seed Feliciano Lopez booked a berth in
the final by defeating Kyrgios 7-6 (7/2), 7-6
(7/5).
The match was close and could have gone
either way, but I’m proud of the way I played.
I needed to be aggressive and was happy that
my volleys and serves worked out well,” said
the 34-year-old Lopez.
Lopez also dismissed any talks of retirement.
People have been asking me, when will you
quit? I tell them I am not done yet, I take it
one year at a time. As long as I stay healthy
and can challenge the best in the world, I
don’t have a specific plan,” he said.
Despite his defeat, Kyrgios is nonetheless
eyeing a higher ranking as he seeks to put this
season’s controversies behind.
The Australian, whose temper and crude on-
court comments have earned him a “bad boy”
image, kept his emotions in check in Malaysia.
The seventh seed hammered 13 aces but
struggled with Lopez’s deft dropshots and
volleys.
I was looking good today, but he came up with
some ridiculous volleys today and you have to
appreciate something like that,” said Kyrgios,
who applauded some of the Spaniard’s return
winners on court.
It was a great game of tennis and he did
enough to come away with the win.”
Kyrgios made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon
and the Australian Open this year, but his play
has been overshadowed by his behaviour.
In August, he was fined for his now-infamous
on-court comment to Stan Wawrinka at the
Rogers Cup, a sexual slur concerning the Swiss
player’s girlfriend that triggered widespread
condemnation.
He faces a possible suspension of 28 days if he
commits further transgressions.
I tend to get upset when something stupid
happens, like when the linesman gets a line
call wrong, but today was a really good
game,” he said.
Now at number 41 in the world, Kyrgios is
eyeing a move up.
I want to get into the top 32. That’s my goal.
I’m not the biggest goal-setter but I’m happy
with my performance,” he said.
His career-high ranking is 25, reached earlier
this year.
I’ll just have to get back up and keep
competing again,” he said.
The only other final Kyrgios has reached was
the Estoril Open in May, where he lost to
Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
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