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US Open 2017: Injured Nick Kyrgios loses to world number 235 John Millman in bizarre fashion
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Published 30/08/2017 at 20:35 GMT+1
Nick Kyrgios suffered another desperately disappointing defeat at a Grand Slam when he lost 3-6 6-1 4-6 1-6 to fellow Australian John Millman in the first round at Flushing Meadows.
Nick Kyrgios is out of the US Open.
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The number 14 seed hurt his shoulder after levelling the match at 1-1 set all before staging another dramatic collapse that included smashing his racket as journeyman Millman assumed control of matters by winning the final two sets with some ease.
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VIDEO: Kyrgios argues with umpire after warning: 'I didn't swear ... this is a joke!'
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Millman had never won a match at the US Open until stepping onto Armstrong Stadium to face the unpredictable Kyrgios.
It means Kyrgios - who has been accused of tanking in the past - is out of another Grand Slam as he failed to lived up to pre-tournament expectations.
Defeat comes only a fortnight after he lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the final of Cincinnati with the fragility of his mind being questioned as much as his physical condition.
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Kyrgios: 'I'll get over this in a half an hour, I'll just chill'
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"It's a victory but it's slightly hollow. On court he's a great sport, good guy off the court, I feel for him (Kyrgios)," Millman said after the match.
"It's not been easy, I had groin surgery last year. I've played some good tennis at times since coming back but I'm still searching for consistency."
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VIDEO: Furious Kyrgios smashes racket as crowd boo
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Kyrgios hurt his right shoulder during the third set and, although he played out the rest of the match, it was to no avail.
He was clearly disconsolate at having another physical issue after playing so well in Cincinnati two weeks ago, beating Rafael Nadal before losing to Dimitrov in the final.
He complained of his right arm feeling dead after hurting it on a serve early in the third set.
Kyrgios received treatment and a sympathetic ear from the trainer as he explained his frustration but no solution to his problem.
Although he said he was focused on the US Open, Kyrgios said he had not always been dedicated, citing his behaviour at the Cincinnati Open, where he reached the final.
"I was probably less dedicated than I was this week. I was playing basketball at Lifetime Fitness every day for two hours. Like I played an hour of basketball before I played David Ferrer in the semi-final," he said.
"I was going to ice cream, like this Graeter's place getting a milk shake every day. I was less dedicated."
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VIDEO Kyrgios breaks down with shoulder injury, asks ball boy to help him stretch
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The Australian angrily protested a code violation given after he swore in frustration at his physical issues. It was not heard by umpire Carlos Ramos but reported to him by a line judge.
Kyrgios then received a point penalty when, after dropping serve to lose the third set, he smashed his racket violently on the court. But ultimately his main concern was the state of his body.
Having failed to wedge the broken racket into his bag, Kyrgios walked off court holding it with head bowed and boos ringing in his ears, rather summing up his day.
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John McEnroe: 'Kyrgios will be finished in under five years if this carries on'
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The 22-year-old looked to have turned a corner earlier this season when he posted a series of impressive results but he has been unable to stay healthy over the past few months.
He aggravated a hip injury at Queen's Club in June and retired during three successive matches, including his opener against Pierre-Hugues Herbert at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios' defeat is potentially good news for Roger Federer, who struggled through a five-set win over Frances Tiafoe in round one and could have faced the Australian in the fourth round.
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Rusedski: 'Kyrgios should quit and do something else with his life if he doesn't like tennis'
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Results from the U.S. Open Men's Singles matches on Wednesday
Round 1
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