Kyrgios falls at first hurdle in Montreal

Nick Kyrgios crashed back to earth with a first-round loss at the ATP Montreal Masters on Tuesday, a 6-3, 6-4 victim Briton Kyle Edmund.

Two days after winning the ATP 500 series title in Washington with a burst of consistent form, the Australian court jester was unable to maintain momentum in a match delayed for 90 minutes in the second set by light rain.

"I'm a little bit tired. Physically I actually feel like I'm OK," Kyrgios said after losing in 67 minutes of actual play.

"Kyle played well, served well and didn't really give me any rhythm into the match at all." With top seed Rafael Nadal due to open his campaign on Wednesday, third seed and 2017 champion Alexander Zverev led the way into the third round, battling to contain Cameron Norrie before dispatching the Brit 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

"I have great memories here from two years ago, and I've never lost in Montreal," Zverev said.

"I hope it stays that way." Kyrgios, who has come under fire for his inconsistency, had been hoping to build on his Washington success in Montreal.

"Tonight was challenging, I was actually really looking forward to playing," he said. "But I just got beaten by a better player today." Edmund, who won the opening set and stood 4-all in the second when players returned to the court, broke immediately and served out victory.

"It felt good," he said after striking 35 winners to 14 for Kyrgios. "He's a tricky player.

"I was watching for his underarm serve and he bluffed me once on that. "You just cannot predict what he will do. I could only concentrate on my side and play my game."
"There were a lot of tough moments today, but I was able to deal with them in a good way every time. There's a lot of positives to take from that."
- Cilic hangs on -
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