Nick Kyrgios reverts to type with tantrum in Cincinnatti

Nick Kyrgios has reverted to type on court after a promising start to the North American summer.

Nick Kyrgios returns a shot to Karen Khachanov in Cincinnatti. Picture: Getty Images

A fortnight after proclaiming his improvement as a person every day, Nick Kyrgios has been accused of vile behaviour after an atrocious tantrum in Cincinnati.

It was a case of the good, the bad and the ugly for Australian tennis in the major lead-in event to the US Open, which begins in 10 days.

French Open champion Ash Barty was far too strong for Maria Sharapova in a 6-4 6-1 win, with her variety troubling the struggling Russian superstar.

Alex De Minaur will play for a maiden appearance in a Masters level quarter-final today against Yoshihito Nishioka, having beaten American beanpole Reilly Opelka 7-6 (3) 6-4.

And Thanasi Kokkinakis validated the decision by Tennis Australia to award him a US Open wildcard by beating compatriot Alex Bolt, who was considered the other main contender for the award, in straight sets in a Challenger event in Vancouver.

But the bad and the exceptionally ugly was owned by Kyrgios, who has reverted to type on court after a promising start to the North American summer.

The Australian No 1 was in a strong position against Russian Karen Khachanov when he lost his cool with umpire Fergus Murphy, an Irishman with whom he has clashed with previously.

One of the quickest players on tour between points, the Australian became irate in the second set when advised he was pushing time boundaries on a point against the world No 8.

And from there he imploded mentally. It took a period for the scoreboard to reflect this, despite his behaviour being akin to a child having a tantrum.

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The 24-year-old could face a hefty suspension and potential ban for his behaviour toward Murphy following the 6-7 (3) 7-6 (4) 6-2 loss to Khachanov, whose mental strength as the circus unfolded was admirable.

After shaking his conqueror’s hand, Kyrgios called Murphy “a f … ing tool”, spat in his general direction and refused to shake his hand.

He had earlier berated the umpire with a tirade that earned him a point penalty to start the third set for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Worst f … ing ref. Ever. The worst ref in the game. Hands down. Every time I play, he’s doing some stupid shit,” Kyrgios yelled.

Kyrgios was lucky to dodge a more significant penalty. After being issued the point penalty, he asked to leave the court.

Although not granted permission, he walked off court with two racquets and proceeded to smash them in a corridor adjoining the court.

A communication breakdown between officials led to a reprieve.

But it is doubtful Kyrgios will receive any leniency when it comes to possible sanctions stemming from the match given his lengthy wrap sheet.

Englishman Barry Cowan, a former player, is now a measured broadcaster. But he was aghast at Kyrgios’s manner.

“We are not going to hear the end of this. What he did at the end was, quite frankly, disgusting,” Cowan said.

“I personally don’t like (players) refusing to shake hands but it looked like he spat in his direction.

“After the heroics of Washington, it was a real thrill to see Kyrgios tennis and the way he fought and competed and he said he was turning the corner. Tonight was a step back.”

Kyrgios was defaulted earlier this year at the Italian Open, where he was stripped of ranking points and fined nearly $90,000 after he threw a chair on to a court amid a tirade.

His opponent that day, Casper Ruud, implored ATP Tour officials to sanction Kyrgios with a ban. It followed several previous incidents of deplorable conduct.

Former ASADA boss Richard Ings, a former ATP Tour umpire and administrator, branded the Australian’s behaviour yesterday as reprehensible.

“Nick Kyrgios’s behaviour in this match was, yet again, that of a jerk,” Ings said.

“Breaking racquets off court will attract identical fines to on court.

“Throwing a cup at the chair and barefaced lying about it. Spitting at and verbally abusing the umpire. A poor loser.”

If Kyrgios is sanctioned with a ban, it will only apply to ATP Tour events and not the US Open due to the different organisations running the tour.

Barty, meanwhile, will face Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit for a spot in the quarter-finals in Cincinnati after a convincing display against Sharapova.

Beaten on her return to the tour by talented American Sofia Kenin in Toronto last week, the top seed said she felt sharper with that match under her belt.

“I mean, it was certainly no panic stations after last week. I knew I was a little bit underdone going into Toronto and certainly I had no worries or concerns there,” Barty said.

“I felt like I have been striking the ball really well over the last seven or eight days. I found my groove a little bit more.

“Then it was just going out there and trying to execute against one of the best competitors of the world and making sure I had to be there, present and ready for every single point.”