VALENCIA, Spain — Nick Kyrgios was knocked out of the Valencia Open in the first round after he was beaten by German qualifier Daniel Brands 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (3) on Tuesday.
The Australian got off to a quick start in the opening set, breaking Brands in his opening service game, as he raced into a 4-1 lead. However, a loss of concentration saw him drop his serve twice in succession and he soon found himself 5-4 down. The 170th-ranked Brands capitalized on a series of half-hearted shots from Kyrgios to take the first set.
Kyrgios leveled the match after Brands twice in a four-game run in the second set, and looked to have the momentum going into the final set.