Kyrgios says 'layer of respect' with Nadal despite feud

Australia's Nick Kyrgios said he h "respect" for Rafael Nal despite ir personal differences after he set up a last-16 match with top seed at Australian Open on Saturday. Kyrgios played down disagreements with world number one -- against whom he has a 2-1 record on hard courts -- after some barbed exchanges between two.

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Kyrgios on Rafael Nal

"Regardless, if we don't like each or or whatever, I think re's a layer of respect," Kyrgios said after his five-set thriller with Russia's Karen Khachav."He's one of greatest of all time. I also re that he thinks I'm good for sport."re's a layer of respect that we both have for each or. Doesn't necessarily mean we like each or, but we're going to go out re and give contrasting styles and personalities." 
 

Kyrgios beat Khachav 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/8) over 4hr 26min -- longest match of his career -- to set up a last-16 meeting with 19-time Grand Slam winner.Last year Kyrgios won a b-tempered match with Nal in Mexico, hitting underarm serves and complaining about his slow play -- prompting Spaniard to complain that he "lacks respect". 24-year-old later told an interviewer that Nal was "super salty", and he mimicked his signature serving routine when warned for slow play during his round-two win over Gilles Simon. However, Kyrgios, who lost to Nal in four sets in round two last year at Wimbledon, said both players were aware of each or's qualities.

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'At end of day, we're two different tennis players': Kyrgios

"At end of day, we're two different tennis players. We go about it completely different," he said."After Wimbledon, I lost, I got beaten by better player. I shook his hand, looked him in eye, and said, 'Too good'." Nal earlier gave a cool response when asked wher he liked Kyrgios.

"When he does stuff that in my opinion is t good, I don't like," said Spaniard."When he plays good tennis and he shows passion for this game, he is a positive player for our tour."When he's rey to play his best tennis and play with passion, is one of se guys. When he's doing or stuff, of course, I don't like." 

 (Im Courtesy: AP)