Tennis: Wawrinka overcomes an injured Kyrgios while Djokovic tames lucky loser Mirza Basic at Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Novak Djokovic moved into the second round with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over lucky loser Mirza Basic, while Stan Wawrinka fought back from a set down to beat an injured Nick Kyrgios 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

 

Nick Kyrgios versus Stan Wawrinka.

The tension is almost palpable in matches between Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios. It probably has to do with Nick’s out-of-line comments about Stan’s girlfriend in Montreal, at this same tournament, in 2015. They have, however, gone past that incident but there is always a tinge of drama and excitement to their encounters. They were dead even at 2-2 prior to the match, and Nick looked ready to lead it 3-2 with 6-1 in the first.

 

Kyrgios’ hips affected his movement in the second and third.

Nick Kyrgios has been struggling with hip and elbow injuries this season, and it was his hip this time that hampered his movement in the second and third. “My hip is, obviously, a little bit sore,” Kyrgios said. “That’s why I called the trainer on the court. So it’s pretty self-explanatory.”

 

Stan took care of his game and did not worry about Nick’s struggle.

Stan Wawrinka, however, started moving better after the first set. He gets full marks for taking care of his game and closing out an injured yet functional and still dangerous Kyrgios. “I think after the first set I start moving better, being more aggressive on my serve, having those little step inside the courts, a bit better to get more points for myself, and that made a difference with me for my game,” Wawrinka said.

“For me, it was important to stay focused on myself, on my game, I’m looking for confidence. I’m looking for matches.” Wawrinka added. He will get to play Marton Fucsovics in the second round.

 

The fans were looking forward to a Djokovic versus Chung encounter.

Fans eagerly awaited the first-round match between Hyeon Chung and Novak Djokovic. Chung had beaten Novak at the Australian Open, and the encounter here was an opportunity for Novak to avenge that loss. Djokovic, however, played the lucky loser Mirza Basic, as Hyun Chung did not play due to an injury. With that walk-over, Chung maintained his winning 1-0 head-to-head against Djokovic.

 

Novak Djokovic versus Mirza Basic.

Djokovic, the four-time Roger’s Cup champion, with the last win here in 2016, hurled nine aces in his 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over Basic. This was Novak’s first match since winning the Wimbledon last month. Although he took care of business, as usual, he did drop serve in the second.

Novak Djokovic will face wild-card Peter Polansky in the next round.