Nick Kyrgios made to work for his win, but defending champ Damir Dzumhur is out

Shahida Jacobs
Nick Kyrgios in action

Fifth seed Nick Kyrgios required three sets to beat local hope Andrey Rublev of the Kremlin Cup, but defending champion Damir Dzumhur tasted a first-round defeat.

Australian Kyrgios overcame a second-set wobble to beat the Russian 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.

It was another typically entertaining performance from Kyrgios, who came under fire last week after the chair umpire questioned his effort during his loss against American Bradley Klahn at the Shanghai Open.

He will take on Mirza Basic in the second round after the Bosnian beat Malek Jaziri 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

Last year’s surprise winner Dzumhur from Bosnia fell at the first hurdle as the sixth seed suffered a 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6 defeat at the hands of Egor Gerasimov, who will face Benoit Paire next after the Frenchman beat Mischa Zverev 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-1.

Andreas Seppi scored an upset win over eighth seed Martin Klizan, winning 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) while Dusan Lajovic earned a match against second seed Daniil Medvedev with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Filip Horansky.

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