Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC • 3001, Australia, 4 March 2017 | AAP

Nick Kyrgios has fallen short of a berth against Rafael Nadal in the final of the Mexican Open, beaten by American Sam Querrey in Acapulco.

The Australian started the semifinal strongly, breaking Querrey twice in to take the opening set.

However, Querrey hit back quickly and broke in the opening game of the second. The American took control from that point forward to seal the second, with Kyrgios requiring treatment on his elbow as he prepared for the decider.

A tough, tight third set looked to be heading for a tiebreak when Kyrgios was broken at the death to give the unseeded American a 3-6 6-1 7-5 win.

Kyrgios’ defeat came a day after the Australian eliminated world No.2 Novak Djokovic in their first ever meeting.

Earlier, Nadal routed Croatia’s Marin Cilic 6-1 6-2.