A gallant Nick Kyrgios has been bundled out of the US Open after losing his opening round match to fourth seed David Ferrer 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday morning.
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The youngest player in the men’s singles draw, Kyrgios was defiant early in the match but couldn’t keep pace with one of the best players in the world.
It was 18-year-old Kyrgios’ second appearance at a grand slam after he made it to the second round at the French Open earlier this year.
Ferrer is a veteran of the professional circuit, the world No.4 and has $20million in prizemoney.
Canberra teenager Kyrgios was never expected to topple the Spanish star.
But he pushed Ferrer early before paying the price for 44 unforced errors on Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
Kyrgios’ attention will now turn to trying to earn a Davis Cup berth next month.
Kyrgios will be part of a five-man team to play against Poland and he will travel to Munich in the coming weeks to train alongside Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic.
Australia needs to beat Poland on clay to rejoin the Davis Cup World Group.
''He's been named in a five-man squad, he's absolutely a chance of playing against Poland,'' Davis Cup coach Josh Eagle said earlier this week.
‘‘This is what we want and expect from him, because the kid's got game.
''Every time he's stepped up at grand slam senior level he's showed a sense of belonging which most young players don't have.
''He seems to thrive in these occasions, that's really promising. Nick's in with a huge chance and we see him as a big part of the future of Australian tennis.''