Stuttgart OpenNick Kyrgios faces first-round exit on comeback from injury

By India Today Sports DeskWimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios was knocked out of the ATP Stuttgart grass tournament in the first round on Tuesday, falling 7-5, 6-3 to China’s Wu Yibing in his first tour match since October. Kyrgios had missed seven months of play and had a knee procedure after withdrawing from his first match at the Australian Open in January.

A jaded Kyrgios was sent tumbling out of the tournament after moving laboriously and struggling to win points on his opponent’s serve. The performance has raised questions about whether he will be back to his best at Wimbledon, which begins in less than a month.

“This was my first time on the grass in an ATP match,” Wu said.

“The last time was Wimbledon juniors six years ago. I’m very happy to have played Nick in the first round, he’s one of the best players on grass. He aced me so much. The key for me was to stay cool, stay patient and find a way.”

Last year, Kyrgios reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart before losing to Andy Murray. Wu saved a break point in the first game with a classy forehand on the run before breaking Kyrgios in the 12th game and taking the first set. The World No. 64’s movement became visibly more restricted as the match progressed. Wu also had the only break of the second set, securing his third Top 30 victory.

“It was pretty special because it was very tense, and he was holding his service games pretty easily,” said Wu, when asked about his break to claim the opening set.

“I was suffering [on serve] sometimes because he has a better serve than me, but I was patient in the match. I will keep going and work on my serve, and hopefully I can be a better server.”

The Australian, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year, appeared to be bothered by his knee but fired 15 aces in defeat. Wu, who is coached by former Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis, became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title in Dallas in February.