Nick Kyrgios has been knocked out of the Murray River Open in straight sets, while world number one Ash Barty fought her way into a semi-final clash with Serena Williams at the Yarra Valley Classic.

Kyrgios was his usual fiery self as he struggled with a knee injury in his 6-3, 6-4 loss to fourth seed Borna Ćorić, eventually smashing his racket and launching it out of the court late in the second set.

Kyrgios had called for the trainer at the end of the first set of the third-round match, in worrying signs ahead of Monday’s Australian Open start.

The Australian told the trainer he was in particular pain when he was serving, saying his knee felt “unstable” when he was landing and his speeds were well down from his usual destructive best.

Nick Kyrgios faces an uphill battle to be fit for the Australian Open.(AAP: Dave Hunt)

With one of his biggest weapons unable to fire, Kyrgios rarely troubled his Croatian opponent with his groundstrokes, as he looked to limit his movement with an eye to next week’s Open.

“There’s a massive question mark for me, even if I was completely healthy, [after] not playing in a year,” Kyrgios said of his prolonged time off due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

“I thought I did everything I could this week. I won a couple of matches, I had a lot of court time and practiced every day, as well.

“I think I’m ticking the boxes, I think I’m giving myself a chance.”

In addition to knee problems, Kyrgios also vented his frustration with the blustery conditions on the outdoor court just before rain arrived, and was given multiple warnings by the chair umpire after audible obscenities.

Earlier, Barty’s Australian Open warm-up continued apace as she beat American Shelby Rogers in their quarter-final, which went to a decisive super tie-break.

Two female tennis players shake hands at net after a warm-up match ahead of the Australian Open.
Ash Barty had to withstand a comeback from American Shelby Rogers before winning their match at Margaret Court Arena.(AP: Andy Brownbill)

Organisers approved a 10-point super tie-break to replace third sets in women’s matches, after a positive COVID-19 test for a hotel quarantine worker forced the cancellation of matches at Australian Open warm-up events on Thursday.

Games resumed on Friday after more than 500 negative COVID test results for players and their entourage.

Barty was first-up at Margaret Court Arena, and she tested out the new rules, beating world number 60 Rogers 7-5, 2-6, (10-4).

A cap-wearing female tennis player reacts as she walks onto court wearing a mask.
Ash Barty was first up on Margaret Court Arena after all matches were cancelled on Thursday due to COVID quarantine.(AP: Andy Brownbill)

She will play Serena Williams in the final four, with the 23-time major winner beating fellow American Danielle Collins 6-2, 4-6, (10-6) in their quarter-final.

On the other side of the draw, Spain’s Garbine Muguruza won a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, beating American Sofia Kenin 6-2, 6-2.

In the other warm-up events, Australia’s Jordan Thompson moved into the quarter-finals of the ATP Great Ocean Road Open with a straight-sets win over Spain’s Mario Vilella Martinez.

The world number 52 saved eight break points on his own serve as he defeated Vilella Martinez 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 24 minutes.

AAP/ABC



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