Kyrgios 'investing in the process' as defending champion

Marseille holds good memories for Nick Kyrgios. Last year, it was where he finally proved that he could sustain excellence for an entire tournament, and he was rewarded with his first ATP title.

Now, Kyrgios is back to defend his crown, looking for the fourth title of his young career, after a disappointing Australian Open in which he lost in the second round.

“I think it showed the level that I can produce is there,” Kyrgios told the ATP about his title run last year in Marseille, during which he did not drop a set. “The problem for me is not the level, it’s being able to bring it every week, being able to find that motivation every day.”

Kyrgios brought up the contrast in his weekly performances throughout his career, using an example from last October. The 21-year-old won the title in Tokyo, before winning just four games in a desultory second-round loss against Mischa Zverev the next week in Shanghai. It was the infamous ‘tanking’ match he would end up getting suspended for.

In Marseille, Kyrgios will need to stay focused every match, with five other Top-25 players still left in the draw.

“There are so many good players here,” Kyrgios said. “I’m not thinking about defending my title at this stage. I’m just taking it one match at a time, and if it happens it happens, and if it doesn’t, you know we move on and we get ready for the next week.”

So far, so good for Kyrgios, who beat Malek Jaziri, 6-4, 6-2, in his opening round. On Friday, he'll face world No. 128 Norbert Gombos in the quarterfinals.