Kyrgios withdraws as Paul and Brooksby progress at Atlanta Open

Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios was a late withdrawal from the Atlanta Open, after he was originally scheduled to play Peter Gojowczyk on Tuesday.

Kyrgios’ replacement in Adrian Mannarino eventually defeated Gojowczyk 6-3 7-6 (9-7), but the Wimbledon finalist’s withdrawal due to injury overshadowed the match.

After receiving a wild card for the Cincinnati Masters, the 2016 champion in Atlanta was expected to make a deep run to kick off his hard-court season.

Coming out to apologise to the crowd before Gojowczyk and Mannarino took to the court, Kyrgios expressed his sadness at the withdrawal, in the hope he could still play in the doubles draw with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“I’m extremely shattered that I’m not able to compete tonight,” he said pre-match. “I’ve won this tournament once, and you know, I’m playing some of the best tennis of my career.

“All I wanted to do was come out here and give you guys a show, to see what I was capable of. I’m unable to give out my best performance today, and I’m just extremely sorry.

“I’m going to keep my hopes up and maybe be able to continue doubles with Thanasi this week. I hope you’ll all not be too hard on me.”

Kokkinakis just has the doubles to attend to now after Andres Martin’s 6-3 6-2 win, while Ilya Ivashka progressed with a 6-0 3-6 6-3 win over Quentin Halys.

James Duckworth was the lone Australian to advance on Tuesday, beating Dominik Koepfer 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3. 

Jenson Brooksby made an encouraging Atlanta Open debut earlier in the day, eliminating Benoit Paire 6-3 6-1 to reach the second round.

Countryman and fifth seed Tommy Paul breezed past wild card Jack Sock 6-1 6-1, while Ben Shelton and Mackenzie McDonald also advanced.