RAFAEL Nadal is urging Nick Kyrgios to “keep going” after consigning the combustible Australian to an explosive straight-sets loss in the China Open final. The world No. 1 cashed in on another Kyrgios meltdown to seize his sixth title of the season with a 6-2 6-1 victory in Beijing. Chasing his third win over Nadal, Kyrgios was unable to shake off a tough line call in the opening game of the match, collapsing to defeat in 92 minutes. Nadal’s latest triumph, following successes in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and grand slam glory in Paris and New York, came after the Spaniard saved two match points in his tournament opener against Lucas Pouille. Victory also further boosted the 16-time major champion’s chances of holding off Roger Federer to finish the season atop the rankings for the first time since 2013. Despite losing, Kyrgios will climb to 15th in the ATP Race to next month’s World Tour Finals in London. With defending champion Andy Murray, five-time winner Novak Djokovic and world No. 9 Stan Wawrinka all injured and out for the rest of the season, Kyrgios is effectively in 12th place with the top eight plus an alternate making the trip to the English capital.

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