Indian Wells – Tennis veteran Rafael Nadal has not let Nick Kyrgios slow him down in his winning ways this year. The Australian Open champion beat the deeply frustrated Australian 7-6 (7-0), 5-7, 6-4 at the Indian Wells tournament to reach the semi-finals.
Kyrgios conceded the first set after an interim lead at the end by a penalty point because he made a verbal gaffe against a spectator. After the end of the match, in a rage, he hurled his racket so violently onto the ground that it flew from there in a high arc across the court. A ball boy ducked away because he was afraid of being hit.
Kyrgios denied any intent, saying the racket had bounced away unhappily after impact. “I’m human, these things happen,” said the 26-year-old, who has often been punished for his emotional outbursts. Kyrgios apologised to the ball boy, circulating a corresponding dialogue via Twitter.
After winning his 19th match this year, 35-year-old former world number one Nadal now faces his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in a clash of generations. The 18-year-old eliminated last year’s British winner Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3.
The women’s semi-finals were won by Maria Sakkari from Greece and Paula Badosa from Spain. Sakkari won 7:5, 6:4 against Yelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan, defending champion Badosa won 6:3, 6:2 against Veronika Kudermetova from Russia.