World number 10 Roberto Bautista Agut has dominated Nick Kyrgios during the opening match between Australia and Spain, cruising to a 6-1 6-4 win.
Whilst Kyrgios may have been the bookies and home favourite, Bautista Agut showed why he came into the tournament ranked number ten, racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set.
Nick Kyrgios has only been broken once in the entire ATP Cup before tonight.
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 11, 2020
Bautista Agut has added two games to that stat.
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Kyrgios would eventually get on the board but the consistancy and accuracy of Bautista Agut would be too much, taking the first set 6-1.
During the first set break, captain Lleyton Hewitt would look to inspire the 24-year-old, with Kyrgios lifting his game during the second set to keep it on serve.
Pep talk for Nick!
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 11, 2020
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STREAM: https://t.co/5bsqpECkOf#9WWOS #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/MtBAQRdc5L
It would all come to a head in the fifth game as he was looking to save a break point, with the Australian appearing to serve an ace, however, the chair umpire would deem that it was a let, invalidating the serve.
This incited Kyrgios, who would go on to lose the point and the game, causing him to smash his racquet in frustration.
DRAMA! Nick wasn't happy after this let call, and the ensuing break.
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 11, 2020
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/5bsqpECkOf#9WWOS #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/QPPxKRmDTp
Bautista Agut would control the rest of the contest after earning the break, fighting off multiple break points to secure the second set and the win for Spain.
Take a bow, Roberto!@BautistaAgut spins gold for 🇪🇸 #TeamSpain 6-1 6-4 against Kyrgios to ensure the 1-0 tie advantage.#ATPCup | #AUSESP pic.twitter.com/CYncxEk4R0
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 11, 2020
Australia will now turn to Alex De Minaur in order to keep their ATP Cup finals dream alive, who must beat world number one Rafael Nadal to send the tie into the deciding doubles.
