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Aussie John Millman slammed after Novak Djokovic tweet, weighs into US Open vaccination drama

John Millman has questioned Novak's US ban. Photo: AFP and David Caird

Aussie tennis star John Millman has sparked a Twitter firestorm after weighing in on Novak Djokovic’s US Open status.

Millman took to Twitter to reveal he had pulled out of an ATP 250 event in Mexico after he tested positive to Covid-19.

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But he also took the opportunity to question why Djokovic was currently barred from entering the US to play in the tournament.

“I’m out with Covid. I was just in the (United) states and it didn’t really feel like too many were following any recommendations or guidelines there. Which is fine, but therefore I can’t see then why @DjokerNole can’t come and compete,” Millman tweeted.

Millman entered the conversation. Photo by Michael Klein.Source: News Corp Australia

Djokovic has revealed he is “preparing to compete” at the final grand slam of the season although currently his refusal to get vaccinated for Covid will see him barred from entry to the US.

Under current rules, all visitors to the United States must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Since his Wimbledon victory, Djokovic has been hoping for a change in the rules in America, despite more than 200,000 new cases and 1057 deaths on August 3. However the average has been around 400 deaths a day, while more than 12,500 Americans died during July according to USA Today.

Millman was slammed for his post and returned an hour later to clarify his stance.

“Let me be clear. If everyone in the country was following guidelines then I’m all for them enforcing a vax entry policy. But from what I saw pretty much no one was, the tournament allows non vax citizens to play and only 30% have had a booster…,” he wrote.

Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg replied to the second tweet, posting: “Could be wrong, but I’m not sure there’s a non-vaxxed US citizen player whose ranking gets them anywhere near the US Open field currently? This remains an issue for one individual.

“And FWIW, media has to show proof of vaccination to get our credentials for US Open.”

Hours later, Millman replied: “Twitter is full of people having all types of opinions on different matters but when an athlete has an opinion on something that is not to do with their sport they are told to ‘stick to your sport’.”

Millman is currently ranked world No. 76 and has automatically qualified for the US Open.

Djokovic was named on the entry list for the grand slam late last month.

Novak is still hoping for US Open entry. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFPSource: AFP

However, the US Open said it was just the process, not a hint about a possible exemption for the tournament which starts on August 29.

“Per the Grand Slam Rule Book, all eligible players are automatically entered into the men’s and women’s singles main draw fields based on ranking 42 days prior to the first Monday of the event,” a statement from the US read.

“The US Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, but it will respect the US government’s position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens.”

Late last month, Djokovic took to Instagram to post a picture of him training, hinting he’d be ready to go, even if there was a late change to the US’ entry rules.

“I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to the US. Fingers crossed!,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram late last month.

There have been plenty of calls for Djokovic to be allowed into the country, including politicians and more than 46,000 people who have signed a petition calling on the authorities to allow a 21-time Slam winner into the country.

But Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said he doesn’t believe the rules will change.

“There is always hope,” Ivanisevic told La Repubblica.

“Novak will do everything to be there, maybe he will get a special visa. But there are only two weeks.

And, personally, I have zero hope that [Joe] Biden will change the rules before the tournament starts.

“For me it is all nonsense and bull****.

If you are vaccinated but positive you can enter the United States. If you are not vaccinated but negative, you are banned. There is too much politics in sports.”

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Meghan Markle 41st birthday: Kate Middleton and Prince William send wishes

Meghan Markle 41st birthday: Kate Middleton and Prince William send wishes

Kate Middleton and Prince William put their royal rift aside today as they wished Meghan Markle a happy birthday.
The Duchess of Sussex turned 41 today, with the Royal Family taking to social media to wish her a special day, The Sun reported.

Sharing a photo of Meghan on their social media channels, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote: “Wishing a happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!”

Minutes later, Prince Charles and Camilla posted: “Happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!”

Both posts featured pictures of the duchess beaming in white as she marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral this year.

The day saw her and Prince Harry sat at the other side of the aisle from Kate and Wills, with the seating order determined by working royal status.

It marked the first time the couple were seen with The Firm since the frosty Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2020, shortly before they officially quit royal life.

They have since made a number of bombshell claims about the royals, with fears more could come in Harry’s upcoming tell-all book.

The couple made their latest UK trip with their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, from California – where it’s likely they’ll stay for Meghan’s birthday.

However it is not yet known how the family will celebrate, a year on from Meghan’s 40 X 40 campaign which she set up to mark her 40th.

The duchess asked A-listers including Adele and Stella McCartney, as well as members of the public, to donate 40 minutes of their time to “help women re-entering the workforce” for the project.

She promoted the initiative in a glitzy comedy video recorded at her home in exclusive Montecito.

A year on, there has still been no follow-up on the campaign, which also featured comedy star Melissa McCarthy.

This story was originally published by The Sun and has been reproduced with permission.

Read related topics:Meghan Markle

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American Pie star Jennifer Coolidge’s wild sex confession

American Pie star Jennifer Coolidge's wild sex confession

Jennifer Coolidge has revealed she’s slept with 200 people due to her infamous role in the 1999 movie american piereports the new york post.

While she’s also known for her role in Legally Blonde and most recently in white lotusthe 60-year-old told Variety that american pie brought her more satisfaction than just fame.

“I got a lot of play at being a MILF and I got a lot of sexual action from ‘American Pie,’” she said. “There were so many benefits to doing that movie. I mean, there would be like 200 people that I would never have slept with.”

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While she’s played similar characters since “Stifler’s Mum,” her role as Tanya McQuoid in white lotus has earned her a first Emmy nomination and a fast pass to the second season as the only main character who got the part sans audition.

“Some jobs, I’m sort of going, ‘Wow, this isn’t worth working for.’ Mike [White] wrote, I was staying up late every night,” Coolidge admitted, referring to the white lotus creator who convinced her to be a part of the series.

In fact, the actress revealed she nearly talked herself out of playing the part. Now, she’s gearing up for its sophomore season, which airs in October 2022.

“I have done one thing really right in my life,” she said. “I’ve picked great friends. If Mike was never successful, and we just did ‘White Lotus’ as a play in a little theater where everyone paid 10 bucks to see it, it would still be one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. Because it was a killer job that no one else thought I could do.”

The HBO series is shot entirely in a single location — the first season being set in Hawaii, and the second set in Italy — due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. Coolidge’s character of her, so it seemed, was written perfectly for her.

“Whenever I’m lying in bed thinking about what I want to make Jennifer do, I know it’s something that she would not want to do,” White dished, nodding to the actress’ willingness to do just about anything on set. “One minute, she seems fragile, like it’s all going to fall apart, and the next minute she’s sturdy and doing hilarious riffs. Just when you think all hope is lost, she knocks it out of the park.”

White’s chance on Coolidge brought her out of her “obtuse” reputation and entered her into the role of “den mother” — and her remodelled image has bought her more opportunity despite her decades in the business.

“Maybe I got this special attention because people saw me as Stifler’s mum or the Legally Blonde woman. So if they see something else…” she said, which proved to be true.

“People that I could never get in the door — all of a sudden they’re asking me to be part of their things.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

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Ioan Gruffudd obtains restraining order against Alice Evans: report

Ioan Gruffudd obtains restraining order against Alice Evans: report

Ioan Gruffudd has reportedly been granted a three-year restraining order against estranged wife Alice Evans – amid claims she harassed him and his new girlfriend, Bianca Wallace, on social media.

“Ioan had no choice but to up his legal fight over Alice,” a source claimed to the Daily Mail in an article published Tuesday.

“She had become increasingly volatile and seemingly intent on destroying his career with her character assassination. He hopes this will put an end to it.”

Gruffudd, 48, was reportedly in attendance inside the Los Angeles court to witness the domestic violence restraining order granted, though Evans, 54, did not make an appearance.

According to the filing, Gruffudd claims Evans “has used her social media accounts to continue to harass, threaten, and disturb the peace of both me and my girlfriend, Bianca Wallace.”

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Gruffudd requested that Evans not be allowed to post any harassing messages about him or his girlfriend to social media or to share any text messages between the two of them, his girlfriend or their kids. He also asked that Evans not contact his employer of him.

the Fantastic Four actor filed for the restraining order in February, seeking to bar Evans from contacting or coming within 100 yards of him and Wallace.

Gruffudd alleged at the time that Evans “repeatedly told me between August 2020 and our separation on January 1, 2021, that if I left her, she would make false public accusations about me, sell false stories about me to the press and destroy me and my career.”

He also claimed that Evans threatened to tell people he had “abused her and her daughters” and that she would “call the police on [him]” if he did not comply with her demands, according to the petitions.

The filing adds that Evans allegedly “threatened to write a fake diary that reflected an abused victim, and to have the diary published; and … threatened to destroy [his] mother.”

Gruffudd further alleged that Evans harassed him on social media and made “hundreds of harassing, abusive and threatening communications by text, voice message, [and] video message” and even sent “threatening emails” to his mum, Margaret Griffiths.

Evans vehemently denied the claims, saying that his complaint was “a ploy to gain some sort of advantage over me in our divorce proceedings.”

Gruffudd, who married Evans in 2007, filed for divorce in March 2021 after Evans claimed via Twitter in January of that year that the actor had abandoned their family.

“My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years… has announced he is to leave his family, starting next week. Me and our young daughters… are very confused and sad. We haven’t been given a reason except that he ‘no longer loves me,’” she said at the time.

Gruffudd and Wallace then went Instagram-official in October 2021. Months later, in January 2022, Evans posted a scathing message about Wallace on social media.

“She wants to put a stake in my heart. I’ve never seen such a lack of empathy,” Evans said.

In February, Evans asked the court to grant her custody over their two children: Ella, 12, and Elsie, 8. Gruffudd hit back, claiming that Evans would make fun of his “saggy vagina eyes” in front of their children.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

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Jane Fonda plastic surgery: Star ‘not proud’ of facelift

Jane Fonda plastic surgery: Star 'not proud' of facelift

Jane Fonda is opening up about a past plastic surgery procedure, and admits she “is not proud” of having a facelift.

During an interview with fashion published this week, Fonda, 84, got candid about going under the knife.

“I had a facelift and I stopped because I don’t want to look distorted. I’m not proud of the fact that I had [one],” the iconic actress said.

“Now, I don’t know if I had it to do over if I would do it. But I did it. I admit it, and then I just say, OK, you can get addicted. Don’t keep doing it. A lot of women, I don’t know, they’re addicted to it,” she said.

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Fonda said expensive face creams are not part of her daily skincare routine.

“I don’t do a lot of facials. I don’t spend a lot of money on face creams or anything like that, but I stay moisturised, I sleep, I move, I stay out of the sun, and I have good friends who make me laugh. Laughter is a good thing too.”

the Grace and Frankie actress also told the media outlet about her H&M Move campaign and how she still feels youthful in her 80s.

“I’m almost 85, but I don’t seem that old,” Fonda said. “So getting young people to stop being afraid of being old, helping people realize that just because you’re a certain age doesn’t mean you have to give up on life, give up on having fun… or whatever you want to do. ”

The H&M Move campaign is focused on “getting the whole world moving” – something Fonda has said she’s “been doing a lot of” in her own life.

The Oscar-winning star pointed out that aging does not have to be intimidating, and she wants more people to be aware that it can be positive and healthy.

“I know better than I did even when I was younger that no matter how old you are or who you are or where you are, keeping moving in a way that’s appropriate for your age is absolutely critical to your healthy lifespan.”

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission

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Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams debuts edgy buzzcut | photo

Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams debuts edgy buzzcut | photo

Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams has debuted her most dramatic hair transformation yet.

The 25-year-old UK actress, who shot to fame playing Arya Stark on the HBO fantasy series in 2011, uploaded a holiday snap showing off her edgy new buzzcut.

“Washing head w facewash,” she captioned photos of the new look on Instagram, adding the hashtag #3in1girlie.

British model Iris Law, 21, who recently debuted her own shaved head, gave Williams her stamp of approval in the comments, to which Williams replied, “U the blueprint.”

Tons of other friends and fans showed love for the bold look as well, with one person writing, “You have a lovely shaped bonce!”

Others commented, “Oh she cute,” “Queeeeeeen! I wasn’t ready” and “Wow, the buzz cut looks amazing on you.”

While this may be one of Williams’ most dramatic changes yet, she’s no stranger to pushing boundaries.

Earlier this year, the former child star bleached her hair and eyebrows a platinum hue for her role in the forthcoming limited series about the Sex Pistols.

And shortly after ending her eight-season run as Arya in 2019, Williams departed from her character by dyeing her brown hair a bright bubblegum pink.

“I love it, it’s a whole new me,” she said at the time.

Her big chop may be a nod to boyfriend Reuben Selby, who has a similarly cropped cut. The couple of three years often match their looks, having sported the same makeup and similar outfits in the front rows of Paris Fashion Week in 2019.

It comes as the Thrones spin-off,House of the Dragon, is just weeks away from premiering.

The prequel series, set 200 years before the events of GoTwill focus on the rise and fall of the Targaryen family.

It premieres express from the US on Binge and Foxtel on August 22.

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Phones banned from Chris Rock Australian tour

Phones banned from Chris Rock Australian tour

People planning to attend one of American comedian Chris Rock’s upcoming shows must abide by a strict set of rules or prepare to be “immediately ejected”.

The threat has raised eyebrows online ahead of the beginning of his Australian tour next week, with ticketholders given firm orders surrounding the event’s phone-free policy.

Holders of tickets, which cost between $134.85 and $217.05, have been told “no mobile phones, smart watches, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the venue”.

Anyone who dares bring their phone into the venue can expect to be swiftly booted, the Ticketek booking site warns.

“Anyone caught with a mobile phone in the venue will be immediately ejected,” the site reads.

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All devices will be stripped from audience members when they arrive, and secured in a YONDR pouch that will be unlocked by a special device at the end of the show.

Guests will be required to take their unusable phones to their seats and hold them throughout the show.

Afterwards, they will line up to have the pouch unlocked at an unlocking station before leaving the venue.

Guests will also need to print physical copies of their tickets to gain entry because digital ticketing won’t be available, Ticketek warned.

Someone who purchased tickets for Rock’s show at Sydney’s Aware Super Theater expressed concern over the strict rule in a post to Reddit on Thursday.

“Just got tickets to see Chris Rock, terms on the tickets say all phones and smart watches will be secured and you’ll be ejected if caught using them,” they wrote.

“I’d kind of like to be able to be reached by the person watching the kids, what the f*** is with this?”

The ticketholder’s concern was addressed by another Reddit user, who claimed the same system had been in place for other comedians, musicians and movie premieres.

“I’ve had to do it many times (comedians like Dave Chappelle, musicians like Jack White, film premieres). There’s usually a designated place where you can get your phone unlocked and check it if required,” they wrote.

The Ticketek event page states that guests “may access their phones at designated YONDR unlocking stations in the lobby” during the show if they need to.

“We appreciate your co-operation in creating a phone-free viewing experience,” the page reads.

Rock made global headlines earlier this year after being slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars for making a bald joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia.

The comedian broke his silence last month during a performance alongside Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle at Madison Square Garden, according to ETOnline.

“Yeah, that sh*t hurt, motherf***er – but I shook that sh*t off and went to work the next day,” he said.

After remaining mostly silent for months, the comedian-actor addressed getting smacked while headlining stand-up shows in New York and New Jersey, the new york post reported.

“Anyone who says ‘words hurt’ has never been punched in the face,” he said.

During the event, Hart brought a live goat onstage and introduced it as “Will Smith”.

Ticketek has been contacted by news.com.au for comment.

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Commonwealth Games 2022, Australia vs Jamaica, netball, result, score, semi finals, table, points

Commonwealth Games 2022, Australia vs Jamaica, netball, result, score, semi finals, table, points

Australia has suffered a historic three-goal loss to Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games, rocking their gold medal campaign in Birmingham.

The Diamonds had been expected to sail through their Pool A matches and meet the second ranked team in Pool B in the semi finals.

But they coughed up a six-goal lead heading into the final term to suffer their first ever loss to the Sunshine Girls.

A brilliant 47 goals from international superstar Jhaniele Fowler and some remarkable defensive efforts from Shamera Sterling ensured Jamaica nailed a 57-55 win.

Fox Netball’s Catherine Cox said the Diamonds “just shut up shop” in the last quarter as Jamaica ran home with the win.

“Australia couldn’t win the ball back – it was some brilliant defensive work from Jamaica. They really just lifted another level in the fourth quarter,” she said.

Questions will be asked of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s selections, with just Sunday Aryang entering for four minutes in the second term and Sarah Klau coming on to a rejigged defensive line with four minutes remaining in the match.

Gretel Bueta finished the pick of the Diamonds attack, despite being silenced in the final quarter by Sterling, with 36 goals from 39 attempts.

Steph Wood’s night ended with 19 goals at 86%.

QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT

Australia opted to start Gretel Bueta at goal shooter, with Steph Wood and Liz Watson out in front of her. Kate Moloney got the nod at center with Ash Brazill, Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce rounding out the defensive trio.

For Jamaica, Jhaniele Fowler started at GS, with Beckford and Williams at GA and WA respectively. Nicole Dixon-Rochester was center with Super Netball trio Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling the starting defenders.

The world’s best shooter started the match with a bang, with five quick goals to open up the first break of the match for Jamaica.

Courtney Bruce kept her West Coast Fever teammate in Fowler as high as she could, but Shanice Beckford was brilliant around the edges to keep feeding from close range.

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FULL MEDAL TALLY >

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Bruce and Jo Weston got early tips, but it was Jamaica who were able to convert while down the other end the connection to Gretel Bueta just fell away.

“The Diamonds are stunned here,” commentator Sue Gaudion said.

Australia scored just three goals in the opening seven minutes, before Steph Wood went from range and leveled up scores.

A Jodi-Ann Ward intercept gave Jamaica the lead once again as the long ball caught Weston’s eyes down.

“They exposed the Diamonds defense again,” Gaudion said.

A quick double play by Bueta ensured the Aussies took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first term.

Coach Connie Francis was left less than impressed when the Sunshine Girls threw away a brilliant Sterling intercept.

“But that is the issue – the conversion of those brilliant moments,” commentator Cath Cox said.

By the first break, it was Australia leading by one goal.

The Aussies went unchanged for the second term – the first time this tournament coach Stacey Marinkovich has opted for no changes after a break.

A big Sterling rebound gave Jamaica the first opportunity, but they couldn’t convert as Courtney Bruce’s brilliant hands over disrupted play.

“There’s plenty of feeling out there,” Cox said.

“Courtney Bruce giving the death stare to Beckford.”

The Aussies chanced their luck feeding Bueta with Sterling in hot pursuit but the move continued to pay off.

When Shanice Beckford found the top of the circle, the Sunshine Girls opted for a rare straight ball feed to Fowler.

“On the circle edge, feeding to Fowler – unbeatable,” Cox praised.

A rare mistake by Bueta saw the replay called, but once again Jamaica couldn’t convert as Khadijah Williams was penalized for footwork.

“It’s the simple things letting Jamaica down isn’t it,” Cox said.

Sunday Aryang was introduced at goal defence, joining her Fever teammates Bruce and Fowler in the goal circle.

And she almost had the immediate impact, getting a tip on a high ball to Fowler, but ultimately couldn’t stop the conversion.

Beckford had a brilliant intercept in front of Ash Brazill and suddenly the margin was back to one.

“Connie Francis willing them on,” Gaudion praised.

Wood backed her teammate Bueta when she went with the feed from the transverse, and the Firebird didn’t let her down with beautiful hands.

“The courage to let that go over the best goal keeper in the game… look at that take,” Cox praised.

By half time, it was Australia leading 30-29.

Weston returned to the court as some bad hands by Wood allowed the Sunshine Girls to draw level early in the third.

Jamaica managed to pull down another deflection but once again threw it away in the midcourt.

“That long outlet ball, if they just shortened it up and do one safety ball, I reckon they’d get themselves on the attack,” Cox said.

A rare shooter contact call on Fowler handed Australia the chance to pull away. Sterling’s cheeky pickup when Bueta put the ball down to set the penalty didn’t go unnoticed by the umpire as suddenly the lead was back out to four.

The physicality stepped up in the third, with Brazill getting under the skin of Adean Thomas and sent sprawling into the goal circle off the ball.

Once again, a Ward pick up on the circle edge ended up sailing over Fowler’s head as another turnover was wasted.

A second straight rejection from Sterling was called for obstruction as the crowd started to find their voice.

A misdirected midcourt ball ensured another turnover as the Diamonds extended the lead to six – the biggest of the match.

A strong take by Bueta over Sterling in the dying seconds pushed Australia out to a 46-40 lead at the final change.

Marinkovich went unchanged once again for the final term as Jamaican wing defender Jodi-Ann Ward came through with the deflection to help her side close within three.

Williams’ return at WA lifted the Sunshine Girls’ attack in the final term as they looked to find their rhythm to Fowler once more.

And when Wood couldn’t regather the short ball, and got done for replay, Jhaniele Fowler made the Aussies pay seconds later to close within one goal.

Liz Watson overcooked the lob to Bueta, and remarkably the Sunshine Girls took the lead with eight minutes to play.

“We haven’t seen that this game – that is the pressure. Mistakes like that have been few and far between for the Diamonds,” Cox said.

Despite Jamaican assistant coach Rob Wright pleading with his defenders to shut down Wood’s influence, it was Bueta they silenced as Wood had to step up.

And the Lightning star was up to the challenge with three successive mid-range shots.

Another Diamonds turnover, this time from Weston to her Vixens’ teammate Watson, gave Jamaica a two-goal buffer as injury time was called.

Weston headed to the bench, Bruce pushed out to GD and Sarah Klau was introduced for her first minutes of the night.

When Shamera Sterling came up with the big rejection and regather, Jamaica pushed out the lead with just a minute to play.

And in remarkable scenes, the Sunshine Girls held on in the thrilling final seconds with Shanice Beckford landing the final goal of the match.

In the end, it was Jamaica who claimed the win 57-55.

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Nick Kyrgios wins over American with classy act for fan in win over Tommy Paul at Washington Open

Nick Kyrgios gifts a towel to a fan.

Nick Kyrgios has continued his preparation for the last grand slam of the year with a strong win over Tommy Paul at the Washington Open on Thursday (AEST).

The Australian was challenged in just his second singles match since Wimbledon and had to play his best tennis to defeat Paul 6-3 6-4.

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Kyrgios was locked in, firing off 15 aces including one rocket at 218km/h.

He was superb in the clutch moments — saving all four break points he faced and converting three out of four of his own break point opportunities.

Kyrgios was up to his usual antics when he got stuck into the umpire after he was given a code violation for ball abuse.

But the Washington crowd was in his corner and he showed his soft side in the first set, when an elderly fan was hit in the face by a ball that took a wayward bounce into the stands.

Kyrgios went over and handed the spectator one of his towels.

He is chasing his second title in Washington and will next face fourth0seed Reilly Opelka in the round of 16 on Friday.

After pulling out of the singles draw at the Atlanta Open last week with a knee injury, Kyrgios has shown impressive form in his two matches in Washington against Marcos Giron and Paul.

Nick Kyrgios was at his best against Tommy Paul. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

He needed just 59 minutes to beat Giron in straight sets and was his usual entertaining self, engaging with the crowd.

He won the doubles title in Atlanta playing alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis and is a favorite to win the title in Washington ahead of the US Open, which begins later this month.

It wasn’t such good news elsewhere among the Australian contingent in Washington, with Alexei Popyrin and Alex de Minaur losing to Taylor Fritz and Yoshihito Nishioka, respectively.

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Tennis 2022: Australian Daria Saville stuns top seed Jessica Pegula in huge upset at Washington Open

Tennis 2022: Australian Daria Saville stuns top seed Jessica Pegula in huge upset at Washington Open

Australia’s Daria Saville upset top-seeded defending champion Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday at the Washington Open.

World No. 88 Saville ripped the seventh-ranked American in hot and humid conditions while Romanian third seed Simona Halep retired with illness down 7-5 2-0 to Anna Kalinskaya.

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“I stayed really composed,” Saville said.

“I managed the energy really well. It was very hot. But I thought it’s hot for everyone so get on with it.”

Saville booked a quarterfinal match against Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino, who beat Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-3 3-6 6-1.

The 28-year-old Russian-born Aussie won her only WTA title at the 2017 Connecticut Open but dispatched Pegula in 98 minutes for her second top-10 win of the year after downing Ons Jabeur at Indian Wells in March.

“Everyone’s attitude is I’m here to win the tournament and I’m no different,” Saville said. “I’m playing really good tennis right now. I’m excited for more.”

Saville fell to 627th in the world rankings after Achilles tendon surgery that sidelined her for most of last year.

Now she is into her third quarter-final of the year after Miami and Guadalajara.

“I’m happy,” Saville said.

“It creates good reputation. Players are going to say, ‘she’s playing well. She has some good wins this year’.

On the men’s side of the draw, Nick Kyrgios defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets to move into the round of 16 and continue his strong form ahead of the US Open.

It wasn’t such good news elsewhere among the Australian contingent in Washington, with Alexei Popyrin and Alex de Minaur losing to Taylor Fritz and Yoshihito Nishioka, respectively.

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