Nick Kyrgios was back to winning ways at the Cincinnati Masters, beating Lorenzo Sonego 7-5 6-4 to advance to the second round.
The win comes a week after his win at the Citi Open in Washington DC and just days after his meltdown at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
The Australian firebrand threatened to lose it early on after a dodgy line call, but was eventually too much for Sonego, comfortably advancing as his US Open preparations continue.
MORE: When is the US Open? | Kyrgios earns praise from classy display
Kyrgios started arguing and sniping at the chair umpire and linespeople after just three games following what he felt was an incorrect call.
Kyrgios asking both linespeople if they are ready to make calls correctly after a Chair overrule.
— Pete Ziebron (@tennisacumen) August 12, 2019
3 games in and Kyrgios is already jawing with the line judges.
— Dave Keaton (@Dave__Keaton) August 12, 2019
"Are you ready to make the correct calls?"
A few games later, Kyrgios was unable to put away a winner and threw his racquet down in disgust.
Nick Kyrgios sells out the Grandstand stadium 🏟 during the night session. Place is at full capacity. Some frustration for Kyrgios early...& he throws his racquet. 4-3 on serve against Italian...Lorenzo Sonego. #cincytennis #atp #kyrgios pic.twitter.com/VquFF8tFP1
— Nate Walroth (@natefrancis00) August 12, 2019
More than 20 minutes later, Kyrgios was still fuming about the missed call, but was playing some sensational tennis in front of a packed crowd.
Kyrgios cashed in on a Sonego double fault at 5-5 to earn the crucial first-set break.
It was the only breakpoint opportunity for either player in the opening frame, and the Australian didn't drop a point in serving out for the set.
Kyrgios didn't have to wait as long for his opening in the second set, converting his first breakpoint chance in the Italian's second service game.
With a bit of breathing room, Kyrgios loosened up, hitting a highlight-reel jump-shot winner to go up 3-1.
The high point came when Kyrgios took a bullet of a Sonego forehand low on his backhand side, dropping a volley with the perfect amount of spin inside the tramlines for a deft winner.
He then bowed to the crowd as he went up 4-2.
Not seen that before. At 40-15, Kyrgios hit the same wide serve as the first point, Sonego hit another ripped FH return DTL, but Kyrgios was following it in and hit a superb low BH volley winner. Rapturous applause from the crowd, and Nick gave them a deep bow. pic.twitter.com/sVJedJSHlo
— Andrew Burton (@burtonad) August 13, 2019
Sonego wasn't broken again, but couldn't break down Kyrgios' serve as the world number 27 marched on.
