Nick Kyrgios is back, Sinner’s archrival wins after one year
“Being back is exciting after a wrist reconstruction and four knee surgeries. Thanks to the fans, I keep doing it for you.” With these words Nick Kyrgios celebrated his success at the Atp 250 tournament in Stuttgart, where he overcame Frenchman Corentin Moutet, the number 8 seed, with a score of 6-3 6-4.
For the Australian, this is a victory with a strong symbolic value. After long months away from the courts due to physical problems, Kyrgios has returned to express himself on what has always been his favorite surface: grass. It was precisely here that he experienced some of the most important moments of his career, culminating with the final he reached at Wimbledon in 2022, the best result he achieved in a Slam.
The success against the number 36 in the world rankings takes on even more significance when one considers that Kyrgios had not beaten a top 50 player since the round of 16 at the US Open 2022, when he eliminated Daniil Medvedev, then world number one. Thanks to this result, the Australian will also return to an official Atp ranking and will take on Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro in the second round.
The match was a veritable manifestation of tennis on grass. The exchanges, which were short and fast, left plenty of room for the serve and net runs. In just one hour and 14 minutes Kyrgios won one break per set, then administered the lead without any particular difficulty.
Once again the decisive fundamental was the serve. The former world number 13 dominated with the first ball, winning 83 percent of the points and putting it in with a very high percentage of 84 percent. Eight aces, no break balls conceded and a constant aggressiveness prevented Moutet from really getting into the match. The Frenchman, known for his ability to vary his game and exploit his left-handedness, was never able to take control of the exchanges, crushed by the rhythm imposed by the Australian and his frequent forays at the net, enhanced by several high quality volleys.
The match ended with a powerful serve followed by a winning forehand. No over-the-top jubilation for Kyrgios, who greeted his opponent cordially as if it had been a normal victory on grass. In reality, it was a success that had been missing for some time and could be the first real sign of a competitive resurgence after years characterized more by media appearances and controversy than by results on the court.
