By Linda Pearce
SHANGHAI: The new Nick Kyrgios headed straight from the court to the gym after his 6-4, 6-4 Shanghai Masters defeat of Sam Querrey for some injury-prevention and strengthening work with fitness coach Martin Skinner. The old Nick Kyrgios might have done, well ... not that.
The 12th seed had just extended his hot streak to six matches, carrying his title-winning form from the Japan Open into the ATP 1000 event and a second-round appointment with German qualifier Mischa Zverev. He was composed and relaxed - "I'm just a little bit bored at times" was his explanation - but also weary after last week's efforts and a late Sunday arrival from Tokyo.
On fire: Nick Kyrgios extends his winning streak to six after a win in the Shanghai Masters.Credit: AP
"I thought I served well today and I just did enough on returns to sort of get him moving a little bit and get him out of his rhythm," Kyrgios said. "It was a solid match and I obviously wasn't feeling 100 per cent - obviously tired from last week and not having so much time here, so I'm pretty pleased moving forward.
"It's not easy for anyone to win a tournament and then come back and beat a quality opponent like Sam. He's had a pretty good year, so I'm pretty pleased with the way I backed it up."
Fourteen aces were among 27 winners to just 11 unforced errors in a controlled display. No break points were faced, while two of three were converted. He then headed off obediently for a warm-down; an early believer in the positive influence of Skinner, the Briton who is starting week three of Project Kyrgios and already credited for helping the 21-year-old his third title of a season he started ranked 30th. He is now 14th, a career high.
"We go straight into the gym and we do some injury-prevention stuff, and obviously just some stuff to get me stronger," Kyrgios said. "I just trust him and he tells me what to do and I just do it. I think that's one thing that I've improved on the most is the off-court stuff."
Has the physical work affected him mentally "What do you think?" he countered. "OK ..."
Kyrgios shared some pre-match banter with French chair umpire Damien Dumusois, when the players were warned about the presence of a TV feed and the need to be careful with their languarge. "What if there wasn't TV?" Kyrgios joked. "I say it every match anyway," said Dumusois.
The Australian's next is against Zverev, the older brother of teen prodigy Alexander, and also a very different player.
"He's tricky. He's a left-hander and on this surface it's tough against any leftie in fast conditions, and obviously he's been around for a while," Kyrgios said. "He's obviously a good role model for his brother. His brother's been doing unbelievable, so I know it's going to be tough tomorrow. I know he's going to be looking to come in, a lot, and try to play his style of tennis. I know what to expect, but I'm not gonna change anything."
The other Australian in the main draw, Bernard Tomic, retired with an abdominal injury when trailing 6-3, 0-3 against 15th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, while Rio Olympic silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro was also a casualty. The Argentinian wildcard eliminated in three sets by No.11 seed David Goffin of Belgium.
Linda Pearce is a guest of the Shanghai Rolex Masters