Great Britain's chances of winning the Hopman Cup have taken a blow after Andy Murray was beaten in straight sets by the Australia Green team's Nick Kyrgios this morning.
There was little to separate the two players in Perth, yet it was ultimately the Kyrgios forehand that proved to be the difference.
The 20-year-old saw off the challenge from world number two Murray 6-4 7-6(5) in one hour and 24 minutes.
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"I did promise a few of my friends that next time I played Murray I would beat him, and there you go," Kyrgios said during his post-match interview.
"I've put a lot of hard work in over the off-season and it has paid off."
For the Brits to stand any chance of clinching the tie, Heather Watson must now overcome Daria Gavrilova in the other singles match.
Liam Apicella
