Nick Kyrgios launches f-bomb tirade at chair umpire in Cincinnati defeat

Another day and another umpire copping an earful from Nick Kyrgios who slammed conditions and spectators enroute to defeat with his US Open now in doubt.

Another day and another umpire copping an earful from Nick Kyrgios as the Australian’s run of form came to a halt in a round 32 6-3, 6-2 defeat to American Taylor Fritz.

The Australian ranted and raved just three games into the clash slamming the standards of the court as well as the behaviour of fans.

“The highest level we play at and you can’t pull off something like that,” Kyrgios told Renaud Lichtenstein. “It’s embarrassing. Do something about it

“Yesterday you couldn’t even clean the f*** up. I was drinking somebody else’s water. Today the screens. What about tomorrow? Standards. Standards.”

Two games later Kyrgios took aim at the crowd and Lichtenstein’s ability.

“People f****** walking around mid-point,” he said.

“Sometimes you play with them moving, sometimes you don’t you.

“Is it normal for people to leave in the middle of the point?

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Nick Kyrgios lasted less than an hour against Taylor Fritz of the United States. Picture: Dylan Buell/Getty Images

“Announce it, you have a microphone. What’s your job, to control the match? Why aren’t you controlling the match? Why don’t you do your job properly? If everyone did their job I would have no problem.”

No stranger to Kyrgios’s foul mouth, Renaud Lichtenstein issued a number of warnings to the Australian who repeatedly dropped f-bombs throughout the laboured performance.

“Stop using the F-word or you will get a penalty every time,” the Frenchman said.

Lichtenstein was in the chair for Kyrgios’s maiden grand slam final against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last month during which he demanded a “drunk woman” be kicked out the stadium midway through the match.

Amid the drama, there were also concerns for Kyrgios’s fitness ahead of the US Open.

After a recent run of form the Aussie needed a physio to attend his knee before defeat was confirmed.

It propted concern from former pro Greg Rusedski who said: “You can hear the boos around the stadium. They don’t feel like he gave it his best effort out there and we’re hoping the knee isn’t too serious but he’s got to show more.

“He’s improved out of sight but physically he’s got to get stronger.

“You’re worried about the knee physically. It’s a lot easier to do on grass courts than hard courts.”

SERENA SUFFERS CRUSHING FIRST-ROUND DEFEAT

Serena Williams bowed out of the WTA/ATP Cincinnati Masters at the first hurdle on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to US Open champion Emma Raducanu as the end of her glittering career looms ever closer.

Williams, who last week indicated that she is planning to retire after this month’s US Open, was no match for British teenager Raducanu, who romped to a 6-4, 6-0 win.

The 40-year-old Williams left the court swiftly after the defeat without speaking to television reporters and did not hold a press conference.

Raducanu broke Williams at the start of both sets to claim victory in what was her first and likely last meeting with the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.

Serena Williams bowed out in the first round. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

“I was nervous from the first point to the last,” Raducanu said. “Serena is dangerous and can come back from any situation.

“I had to stay focused. I’m so pleased I managed to keep my composure.” Williams, winner of titles here in 2014 and 2015, was competing in only her fourth match of 2022 after starting her season at Wimbledon due to injury.

Raducanu announced her intentions from the start with a break to love of Williams and never let up.

The young Briton improved to 14 wins, 17 defeats since winning the Open last September from a qualifying start.

Raducanu meanwhile said she was honoured to be part of the spectacle on Tuesday in what was one of Williams’ final games as a professional.

More Kyrgios antics in straight sets Cincinnati win

Nick Kyrgios began the last major US Open tune-up with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Tuesday at the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Masters.

The Australian marched through with 29 winners - including 10 aces - and three breaks of the Spaniard’s serve to reach the second round.

The 28th-ranked Kyrgios has won all 11 of his first-round matches this season and won his 22nd match since returning to the ATP in June after skipping the clay season.

Pure. Tennis. Entertainment. 🍿@NickKyrgios@alexdavidovich1#CincyTennispic.twitter.com/0gqvDnYz7g

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 16, 2022

He now faces good friend Taylor Fritz after the American crushed Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-1.

“Physically, I didn’t feel the best, but you have to keep pushing, keep trying,” Kyrgios said.

“Alejandro’s a hell of a player, he’s got a lot of shots at his disposal. I had to serve well and dictate,” the Montreal quarter-finalist added.

“It was tricky conditions out there, the courts are a lot more lively than Montreal, it was harder to control the ball.” Kyrgios took 50 minutes to secure the first set, wrapping it up after a break in the penultimate game with back-to-back serve winners.

He went up an early break to start the second set but lost it three games later as the dissatisfied Australian kept up a frustrated gripe session with his three-strong support box as Davidovich Fokina made it 2-2.

Kyrgios struck straight back with a love break to regain control 3-2 and ran out the winner in 91 minutes on his second match point./