Nick Kyrgios' much-anticipated return to competitive tennis hit a roadblock at the Miami Open as he suffered a disappointing loss to Karen Khachanov. The second-round match, held on March 21, 2025, ended with Khachanov taking victory in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0.
After defeating Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, Kyrgios had notched his first tour-level win since October 2022, a feat that had raised hopes among fans for his comeback. However, his match against Khachanov proved to be a formidable challenge. Known for his unpredictable playing style, Kyrgios started strong but faltered as the match progressed.
Khachanov, who had reached the semi-finals in the previous Miami Open held in 2023, appeared focused and capitalized on Kyrgios' uncharacteristic errors. “With Nick, you never know,” Khachanov remarked after the match. “He hasn't played much in the past two years. I saw his first match, and he was playing really well. Today was the same. When you play Nick, you have to stay calm, especially in the heat of the battle.”
The match shifted dramatically in the first-set tiebreak when Kyrgios had the chance to go up 3-1 but lost the lead, leading him to become visibly frustrated with his team at courtside. His game unraveled from that moment onward, with the second set being particularly bleak; he managed to win only seven points in a set that lasted just 21 minutes.
Adding to the turmoil during the match, Kyrgios received a warning from the chair umpire for an unsportsmanlike conduct incident when he smashed a ball out of the court. The fallout from such moments adds another chapter to the narrative of Kyrgios, a player often regarded as both an anti-hero and a crowd favorite. Despite the loss, his earlier victory served as a reminder of his potential on the court.
Meanwhile, the Miami Open saw other significant outcomes on the same day. In a surprising turn, Daniil Medvedev, the former champion who won the tournament in 2023, was knocked out in the second round by Spain’s Jaume Munar, with a score of 6-2, 6-3. Medvedev, visibly frustrated, threw his racket and accumulated 32 unforced errors throughout the match, proving that even top players can face unexpected challenges.
Notably, the women’s draw is shaping up with world number two Iga Swiatek pushing on to the third round. On March 21, she faced off against Caroline Garcia and came out on top with a score of 6-2, 7-5, despite a momentary lapse in concentration. Swiatek had to rally back after being down 3-1 in the second set before sealing the victory.
Reflecting on her performance, Swiatek shared insights about her energy levels fluctuating during matches, commenting, “My energy level got down really fast. So I tried to wake myself up, keep the intensity from the first set, follow through and go for it.” Swiatek previously lost in the semi-finals of Indian Wells to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, indicating that she is seeking redemption in Miami.
Kyrgios, who played at Butch Buchholz Court that afternoon, had already piqued the interest of many spectators. His match against Khachanov was expected to be a thrilling encounter, particularly as their previous matches had all been tightly contested. They had clashed three times prior, two of which went to five sets, showcasing Kyrgios’ capability to perform under pressure. However, this match did not mirror those intense battles.
Khachanov will now advance to the next round, where he will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Italian Federico Cina 6-1, 6-4 earlier in the tournament. The young 17-year-old Cina, despite losing to Dimitrov, managed to secure his first ATP Tour win in his opening match in Miami against Francisco Comesana, further highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
As the Miami Open progresses, the stakes are high, with some of tennis’ biggest names battling it out. Fans will look to see if Kyrgios can regain his form in future matches after such a tumultuous game against Khachanov, wrapping up another page in what has been a storied and unpredictable career.
