Nick Kyrgios and Fernando Verdasco engage in Twitter spat at Miami Open
Nick Kyrgios and Fernando Verdasco have engaged in a social media spat at the Miami Open, after the Australian tennis star hit out at the “saltiest” Spaniard on Twitter.
The drama started when Kyrgios tweeted his support for close mate Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was preparing to play Verdasco in the third round following his epic upset of Roger Federer on the weekend.
“I hope TK wins this match, fernando is the saltiest dude,” Kyrgios wrote.
“Must be frustrated at his past success against Aussies.”
“I hope TK wins this match, fernando is the saltiest dude,” Kyrgios wrote.
“Must be frustrated at his past success against Aussies.”
The tweet was deleted a short time later.
Verdasco does have a poor run against Australian players, most recently losing to youngster Alex de Minaur in the first round at the Sydney International in January.
He has also lost two in a row to Kyrgios and three on the bounce against Bernard Tomic dating back to 2015.
The world number 39 broke his losing streak in a fiery match against Kokkinakis, coming back from a set down to win a third set tiebreak.
He’ll play countryman Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round after the world number 19’s 6-4 6-4 win over Steve Johnson.
After his victory over Kokkinakis, an angry Verdasco hit back at Kyrgios via Twitter. The Spaniard also evidently blocked Kyrgios on Twitter.
In a juicy plot-twist, Kyrgios and Verdasco could be set for a semi-final showdown at Miami if they each keep winning.
Firstly though, Kyrgios must get past German world number four Alex Zverev in the round of 16.
Kyrgios and Zverev have played each other five times over the past year, with Kyrgios winning three and Zverev taking two victories.
Their most recent encounter saw Zverev earn a 6-2 7-6(3) 6-2 win over Kyrgios at the Davis Cup in February. It was during Australia’s Davis Cup tie with Germany that Kyrgios picked up the elbow injury that kept him out of four consecutive tournaments before regaining fitness for Miami.
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