Nick Kyrgios booed off by OWN fans as his Australian Open dream shatters in on-court meltdown
Kyrgios goes two sets up against Andreas Seppi before Italian journeyman comes back to dump Aussie out of second round
WILD child Nick Kyrgios was booed off court by home fans tonight as his dreams of glory crashed in an amazing meltdown.
The great Aussie hope was two sets up and cruising against 32-year-old Italian journeyman Andreas Seppi on a frenzied Hisense Arena.
But yet again, his fragile emotions unravelled and - out of nowhere - he began muttering to himself, throwing his racquet, moaning at figures in the crowd.
Seppi sensed an opening. And he exploited it to the full.
From 1-6 6-7 down, he took the third 6-4 in half an hour, the fourth 6-2 in five minutes less and then dug in for what he knew would be a titanic decider.
Kyrgios roused himself to stay in the hunt, producing some amazing shots under pressure - including a ridiculously-cool through-the-legs half-volley in the middle of a tense rally - and it all went down to who could keep his nerve the longest.
At 8-8, Kyrgios blinked first, his serve broken and Seppi left to see the job through - and spark a storm of abuse for a home favourite who’d blown a massive chance.
