Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios was back to his old ways as he played a lone hand for the World Team on the second day of their clash with Team Europe at the Laver Cup.
The current world number 20 beat former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 10-6 in the exhibition event in Prague, but it wasn’t without controversy.
Down a set and serving at 5-5 in the second, he let fly after saving a break point and delivering what he believed to be an ace – only for the umpire to call it a let, leaving Kyrgios incredulous.
Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios (pictured) was back to his old ways as he played a lone hand for the World Team on the second day of their clash with Team Europe at the Laver Cup
The current world number 20 beat former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych in Prague, but it wasn’t without controversy as he fired up at the umpire over what he perceived to be a bad call
‘What? I’m about to lose my s**t if you call that a let,’ the 22-year-old was heard to say by TV cameras.
But the official stuck by his call, telling Kyrgios the decision was automatically made for him by the net machine.
‘F**k the machine though,’ the outraged Australian replied.
Regaining his composure after the outburst Kyrgios went on to win the match in the deciding third set ‘super tiebreak’.
But his result was a rare highlight for Team World, with Kyrgios’ teammates losing to Team Europe superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
After Federer accounted for Sam Querrey and Nadal for Jack Sock in their respective singles matches, the two legends teamed up to beat the American duo in doubles.
Kyrgios celebrates with his teammates after defeating Berdych, Team World’s only win of the day
In one of the day’s other matches, fierce rivals Rafael Nadal (left) and Roger Federer (right) teamed up to beat American duo Sam Querrey and Jack Sock
Surviving a second-set scare, Federer and Nadal prevailed 6-4 1-6 10-5 to give Team Europe a 9-3 lead in the overall standings.
Named in honour of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the concept pits handpicked teams from Europe and the rest of the world against each other over three days.
Former legends including John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Bjorn Borg are also part of the format, sitting court side as captains for their respective teams.
Surviving a second-set scare, Federer and Nadal prevailed 6-4 1-6 10-5 to give Team Europe a 9-3 lead in the overall standings