No repeat heroics as Kyrgios bows out

NICK Kyrgios has fallen short of a berth against Rafael Nadal in the final of the Mexican Open, beaten by American Sam Querrey in Acapulco.

The Australian started the semi-final strongly and had treatment on his elbow at the end of the second set before the unseeded Querrey triumphed 3-6 6-1 7-5 yesterday.

It was a disappointing exit for Kyrgios — whose serve was broken for Querrey to seal victory — a day after eliminating 12-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic.

“It does not get any easier tomorrow, it will be the toughest test,” Querrey said.

“I played great today, but I need to play even better tomorrow to beat Nadal”.

Querrey became the first American finalist in the 24year history of the tournament. He will try to win his ninth title, and first since Delray Beach in 2016. Querrey is 0-4 against Nadal.

Earlier, Nadal routed Croatia’s Marin Cilic 6-1 6-2.

Seeking his first title this season and 70th overall, the 30 year-old Spaniard ran his Mexican Open winning streak to 14 matches and 28 sets. He won the hardcourt event in 2005 and 2013.

The second-seeded Nadal, playing his first tournament since losing to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, last won a hardcourt title in January 2014 in Doha.

“You need to have a great day to get a result like this against Cilic,” Nadal said. “Anytime you play against someone like Cilic you expect to suffer in a tight match, but it was not like that. I believe that he had his chances, but I played a good game”.

Nadal is seeking his first title this season.

He won the event in 2005 and 2013, when it was played on clay.