Nick won’t be short of support in M’sia Open

PETALING JAYA: US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori has been the star attraction in the run-up to the Malaysian Open ATP 250, which starts on Saturday at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

But rising Australian star Nick Kyrgios has also received his fair share of attention from Malaysians – and he can most certainly expect a warm reception when he takes to the court.

The 19-year-old – whose father Giorgos (George) is Greek and mother Norlaili is Malaysian – shot to fame this year when he stunned then world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of the Wimbledon.

Kyrgios eventually lost in the quarter-finals to Canadian Milos Raonic but it was already a career breakthrough for the lad who trains in Melbourne and has been on the professional fast track since winning the Australian Open boys’ title in 2013.

Kyrgios rose significantly from No.144 in the world to the top 100 after his Wimbledon feat and he also made the third round of the US Open last month.

And Kyrgios is also looking forward to playing in front of the Malaysian crowd for the first time.

“I’m definitely ready and looking forward to the trip to Malaysia and competing in the Malaysian Open,” said the world No. 51, who won both his Davis Cup matches against Uzbekistan last week.

“This has been a massive breakthrough year for me and getting to the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon was quite a result.”

Kyrgios, who also has relatives here, admitted that playing in front of the Malaysian crowd would make things more interesting.

“It’s definitely going to be exciting and I can’t wait. I just want to say to the fans ‘come and watch the tournament’,” said Kyrgios.

With the Malaysian Open already suffering a hit due to the late withdrawals of top stars Raonic and Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the stage is set for Kyrgios and compatriots Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika to step up to the plate.

Besides playing in the singles, Kyrgios will also compete in the doubles, partnering local ace Syed Agil Syed Naguib.