Nick Kyrgios Has Meltdown, Crashes Out Of Australian Open After Loss To Andreas Seppi

Nick Kyrgios made quite the unforgettable exit from the Australian Open on Wednesday, and not for losing with dignity.

Nick Kyrgios Has Meltdown, Crashes Out Of Australian Open After Loss To Andreas Seppi

The 21-year-old Australian squandered a two-set lead to fall 1-6, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-1, 10-8 to Italian Andreas Seppi after engaging in a heated verbal skirmish with his courtside box.

Kyrgios– who was still recovering from a knee injury heading into the season’s first Grand Slam– seemed irked about having to put in more extra effort.

The 14th seed had been dominating the match before he suffered a meltdown midway through the contest. One announcer called Kyrgios’ performance “melancholy madness.”

Kyrigos was just two games from securing a spot in the third round at 4-4 in the third set when, after repeatedly arguing with his entourage, he began to fall apart.

The Australian was docked a penalty point after receiving a second code violation for violently smashing his racket on the court in the subsequent changeover, before Seppi served out the set to begin taking control of the match.

He dropped serve twice more as Seppi dashed through the fourth set to force a decider– two years after Kyrgios denied the Italian 8-6 in the fifth set on the same court at Melbourne Park.

Former world No. 1 American Jim Courier described Kyrgios’ behavior as “apathetic.”

“He seems to be making a specific point to someone in his team that they messed up,” Courier said. “At one point, does he re-engage?”

Kyrgios earned a match point in the 17th game of the wild final set, although Seppi fired a vicious forehand winner down the line to stay alive before breaking Kyrigos and finally closing the contest after three hours and nine minutes.

“I just kept fighting,” Seppi said. “Maybe it was meant to be.”

Seppi next faces world No. 71 Steve Darcis of Belgium on Friday, with a probable fourth-round showdown with triple Grand Slam champion and reigning US Open winner Stan Wawrinka coming soon afterwards.

On the women’s side, world No. 1 Angelique Kerber of Germany got to celebrate her 29th birthday by defeating countrywoman Carina Witthoeft 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2.

Several Americans, including John Isner, Steve Johnson and Shelby Rogers, all crashed out Wednesday.

American Sam Querrey, however, remains alive, and will next face world No. 1 Andy Murray in the third round.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Nick Kyrgios of Australia serves in his second round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy on day three of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)