Kyrgios to secure first grand slam seeding

Nick Kyrgios is set to hit a career-high 29th in the world rankings on Monday, guaranteeing the Australian his first grand slam seeding at the French Open.

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios is set to hit 29th in the world rankings, guaranteeing a seeding at the French Open. (AAP)

Australia is set to field three seeded players at the French Open, with Nick Kyrgios' win over Roger Federer helping him to a career-high ranking.

Kyrgios surges to world No.29, boosted by his thrilling three-set victory over the Swiss world No.2 at the Madrid Masters last week.

It means the 20-year-old from Canberra is guaranteed his first grand slam seeding when the French Open gets under way in Paris on May 24, joining fellow Australians Bernard Tomic and 2010 runner-up Samantha Stosur.

Kyrgios will arrive at Roland Garros high on confidence, having showcased his claycourt credentials.

Already at a career-high No.35 in the world after reaching his maiden ATP final a week ago in Portugal, he produced a stunning upset to knock Federer out in Madrid, in what he described as the greatest win of his career.

He is now the youngest player in more than a decade to have conquered both Nadal and Federer - his childhood idol - and the first to do so while both players were in the top 10.

Novak Djokovic was two months older when he completed the Nadal-Federer double five months before securing the first of his eight grand slam crowns at the Australian Open in 2008.

Australian Davis Cup captain Wally Masur has tipped Kyrgios' big serve and powerful forehand to cause real damage in Paris, especially if the sun is shining.

Australia's French Open stocks are looking relatively strong, with five direct entrants in the men's field including Sam Groth and James Duckworth.

Casey Dellacqua, Jarmila Gajdosova, Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Gavrilova are also guaranteed spots in the main women's draw.

Two Australians will be granted wildcards into the main draw under Tennis Australia's reciprocal arrangement with the host federation.

Lleyton Hewitt won't be lining up for a 15th tilt, the former world No.1 instead focusing on Wimbledon and the Davis Cup.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world