Halle Open: Nick Kyrgios edges past Pablo Carreno Busta
Nick Kyrgios cruised into the semi-finals of ATP Halle with a straight-sets win over Pablo Carreno Busta. Both the players started with service games to love, but Kyrgios pressured his opponent despite missing two opportunities to break in the third game
Nick Kyrgios cruised into the semi-finals of ATP Halle with a straight-sets winWhen the score was 2-2, Kyrgios broke Carreno Busta's serve to love. Although the Spaniard tried to level the score, Kyrgios pressed on to pocket the first set 6-4. In the second set, Carreno Busta then lost his opening service game, with Kyrgios breaking at the third attempt. A win was foreseeable for Kyrgios, who took a 4-1 lead. The 27-year-old put on a dominant display to set up a
match against Hubert Hurkacz, who thrashed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals.
Kyrgios threw 13 aces and broke three times as he picked up his pace on the grass. He said he played a standout match against Carreno Busta in their first meeting since 2016. "I've had some good runs in my career, but I'm pleased with this performance," said the world number 65. The win lifts Kyrgios' ranking to world number 45 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. The Australian could become world number 30 if he wins his seventh ATP Tour trophy at the ATP 500 event. He has not been in the top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings since March 2021.
Daniil Medvedev downs Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev won the quarter-finals match 6-2 6-4 to seal his place in the last four. Roberto Bautista Agut put pressure on the world's number one on Thursday, but Medvedev's serve was instrumental during crucial moments in the one-hour, 27-minute encounter on OWL Arena. His power and accuracy pushed him to save nine break points he faced against the Spaniard. He didn't concede even one out of the 17 break points he met this week. He will now face Germany's Oscar Otte, who recovered from a set down to defeat eighth seed Karen Khachanov.
Medvedev registered his first win against the Spaniard in four attempts. It was Bautista Agut's fourth quarter-final appearance in Halle, and he tried to recreate his semi-final run from 2018. Still, he couldn't convert his break point chances, courtesy of Medvedev's unyielding serve. At the on-court interview, Medvedev called him a great player, adding that it was difficult for the current world number one to beat him in all of their previous matches. However, he admitted that he managed to keep it going and got more edge on the most critical points. He had more breakpoints, so it wasn't easy for Medvedev to win. He will now prepare for his 25th tour-level championship match appearance in a semi-final clash.