The wait is over! After nearly 900 days since his most recent ATP win, Nick Kyrgios celebrated another at the Miami Open. The Aussie faced Mackenzie McDonald in the first round and claimed a comeback 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 43 minutes.
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Nick turned the tables after the opening set and notched his first ATP triumph since October 2022! The Aussie served well in the second set and denied a crucial break point in the sixth game of the decider. The former Wimbledon finalist grabbed a break in the next one and sealed the deal.
The Aussie claimed nine points more than the American. Nick served at 77% and outplayed his rival behind the first serve. He played against three break points and got broken two times. Mackenzie dropped 38% of the points in his his games and experienced three breaks from seven chances offered to his rival.
Both players hit more winners than unforced errors. Kyrgios stood on a 35-31 ratio, while McDonald finished the duel with 27 direct points and 23 mistakes. The Aussie fired 11 service winners more than his rival and endured the baseline battles.
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The American was off to a flying start, earning a break in the second game and opening a 3-0 advantage in six minutes! Nick cracked a backhand down the line winner in the fifthgame and pulled the break back at love.
However, he hit a double fault in the eighth game and suffered a break, propelling his rival 5-3 in front. Mackenzie served for the opener at 5-3 and painted a backhand down the line winner, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 27 minutes.
Kyrgios served well in the second set and kept the pressure on his opponent. The Aussie wasted two break chances in the second set but kept his composure. The former Wimbledon finalist welcomed the rival's huge forehand error in the eighth game, delivering a break and moving 5-3 up.
Kyrgios fired a service winner in the ninth game, taking the set 6-3 and introducing a decider after 61 minutes. They served well in the opening five games, and Nick denied a break point at 2-3 with a forehand winner. Mackenzie missed his chance and struggled on serve in the next one.
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The Aussie seized the third break point after a costly double fault from the American, moving 4-3 up and closer to the finish line. Nick held after a deuce in game eight and served for the win at 5-4. He held at love with a service winner, moving over the top and celebrating his first ATP win since October 2022.
