Madrid: Kyrgios sets up Wawrinka showdown

Nick Kyrgios is through to the second round of the Madrid Open following a hard-fought 7-6(7) 6-4 win over Argentina’s Guido Pella.

The world No.21 slammed down 16 aces against the player ranked 50th in the world and will now face old foe Stan Wawrinka for a place in the third round on Wednesday.

The world No.4 and French Open champion was given a bye into the second round.

The last two meetings between the pair have resulted in retirements; Kyrgios called time during the ATP event in Dubai in February with Wawrinka doing likewise in the controversial clash between the pair in Canada last year.

That match resulted in a fine and 28-day suspended suspension for the Australian following comments he made to the Swiss during the match.

Meanwhile, in-form Rafa Nadal cruised past Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3 6-3 to win his 11th consecutive match this year and advance to the third round.

Nadal broke Kuznetsov’s serve once in the first set and twice in the second to secure the win in his opening match at the clay-court tournament that he has won twice in the past three seasons.

The former No.1, who’ll next face either American Sam Querrey or Frenchman Lucas Pouille, hasn’t lost since his opening match at the Miami Open in March and is coming off consecutive titles at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open.

World No.2 Andy Murray advanced with a hard-fought 7-6 3-6 6-1 win over 37-year-old Radek Stepanek and Gael Monfils survived an injury scare as the 13th-seeded Frenchman carried onto a 6-4 6-1 victory over Kevin Anderson after rolling his ankle.