- Pair meet for first time since Kyrgios chair throw in Rome
- Australian will next play Italian 10th seed Jannik Sinner
Nick Kyrgios has made a mockery of the rankings with a win over world No 8 Casper Ruud in a grudge match at Indian Wells. Kyrgios made it clear the bad blood between the pair remains after swatting the Norwegian aside 6-4, 6-4 with another serving masterclass on Tuesday.
The two had not clashed since Kyrgios infamously defaulted himself after throwing a chair onto the court during the 2019 Italian Open in Rome. Ruud called Kyrgios out afterwards, suggesting the combustible Australian deserved to be banned for six months.