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Nick Kyrgios is doing the unthinkable on his clay court return

When he’s not busy chucking temper tantrums, Nick Kyrgios is proving his talent is enough even on his least favourite surface.

Nick Kyrgios is in fine form. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios is in fine form. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

In a development nobody saw coming, Nick Kyrgios is two-from-two on his least favourite surface in Houston.

The Aussie, who has made it clear in the past how much he dislikes playing on clay courts, beat American Tommy Paul 6-4 6-2 on Thursday morning (AEST) to reach the quarter-finals of the tennis tournament in Texas.

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It’s the first time Kyrgios has made the quarters of a clay court event since he did so at the same venue back in 2018. It’s also the first time the Canberran has won back-to-back matches on clay since Madrid in 2017.

“This was one of my best ever matches on clay,” Kyrgios said after beating Paul.

Kyrgios’ latest victory comes after he disposed of Mackenzie McDonald 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the first round, which was his first match on clay in three years.

The 26-year-old said before the tournament Houston will be the only time he plays on dirt this year, skipping the European clay season and returning to spend time in Australia before jetting back overseas for Wimbledon.

Kyrgios has actively avoided playing the French Open in recent years but announced during the week he is planning to return to Roland Garros next year, marking his first visit to the grand slam since 2017.

“Next year I am going to go to Paris. I’m announcing that now, I’m going to the French Open,” Kyrgios told tennis reporter and host Blair Henley.

“I haven’t played that in four years so I’ll be back next year.

“My girlfriend just wants to see Paris. I mean, I’ll play the French Open as well.”

Asked why he wouldn’t play the French Open this year in May if girlfriend Costeen Hatzi was so keen to hit up Paris, Kyrgios spoke of the importance of spending quality time with family.

“We already decided to go home and have that time. We’re just working towards that. Time at home’s crucial because they next trip is for three months and the time at home is so valuable,” Kyrgios said.

“Especially being from Australia, you get homesick very quickly and we’re both very family-orientated, so we have to make sure that season remains tight.”

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios is doing the unthinkable on his clay court return

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-is-doing-the-unthinkable-on-his-clay-court-return/news-story/3cf5f1cb9278c3abe625af9eefcd9189