Atlanta, GA, USA, 27 July 2018 | AAP/Reuters

AAP – Nick Kyrgios says if he’s playing his best it’s “tough to lose” at the ATP Tour’s Atlanta Open as he looks towards his upcoming quarterfinal.

The second seed sailed through to the next round after defeating American Noah Rubin in straight sets.

Kyrgios dished out 15 aces to conquer the world No.164 7-5 6-2 in 56 minutes.

“I always feel comfortable playing here … the court suits my game style,” he said. “If you’re playing well and you’re seeing the ball well and you’re serving well, it’s tough to lose here.”

.@NickKyrgios prevails over @Noahrubin33 🇺🇸 7-5, 6-2, kicking off his 2018 #AtlantaOpen play with success. pic.twitter.com/TuVp8pn95e

— Atlanta Open 🎾 (@ATLOpenTennis) July 27, 2018

The last time Kyrgios played in Atlanta he defeated then three-time defending champion John Isner to claim the title.

The 23-year-old will play Cameron Norrie for a spot in the semifinals after the Brit came from behind to overcome French sixth seed Jeremy Chardy 5-7 6-4 6-4.

“He’s always been a tough competitor … he’s a tricky player, he’s a lefty, great backhand,” Kyrgios said. “Lefties are always tough on a surface like this.

“I’m going to go out there, nothing’s going to change on my end. I’m going to serve big, play big and we’ll see how it goes.”

He broke Rubin’s serve in the final game of the opening set with a scorching crosscourt forehand winner and motored through the second in 24 minutes, breaking the American three times.

Kyrgios, a champion in Atlanta in 2016, next faces Cameron Norrie after the Brit overcame Jeremy Chardy in three tight sets.

Ebden continues strong form

AAP – Earlier, Matt Ebden has breezed through to the quarterfinals of the Atlanta Open after beating American Donald Young in straight sets.

The fourth seed hit nine aces to overpower the world No.230 6-4 6-4 in just over an hour.

4th seed @mattebden kicks off his 2018 @BBTatlantaopen with a 6-4, 6-4 win over D. Young to reach the QF in Atlanta…#USOpenSeries pic.twitter.com/rVtz0TtmnY

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 26, 2018

“I knew he was going to be tough here, because he lives here. He practices in these conditions and he’s as comfortable as anyone in these conditions,” Ebden told atpworldtour.com.

“I had to really stay on top of him and I had to really dominate with my game… I’m very happy with how I went about it.”

The world No.55 will now face former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis – who beat Aussie qualifier Alex Bolt – for a place in the semifinals.

Since the French Open Ebden has won 13 of 18 matches and, given he’s projected to rise to No.50 in next week’s rankings, will have improved his position by almost 20 places.

On Friday Ebden will take on Baghdatis in the first match of the Stadium Court schedule before Kyrgios faces Norrie in the night match.

Millman bows out in Hamburg

REUTERS – Australian John Millman’s German Tennis Championships campaign is over after a straight-sets defeat to top seed Dominic Thiem.

The world No.8 Austrian sprinted out of the blocks in glorious Hamburg sunshine, breaking Millman’s serve twice before serving out the opening set in 33 minutes.

The 24-year-old French Open finalist carried that momentum throughout the second set and converted a further two break points on his way to a comfortable 6-2 6-2 victory over the world No.50.

Not my day today. Silver linings.. about to board QFseeyouinadayaustralia!!

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) July 26, 2018

Thiem extended his win-loss record to 38-11 for the season, which includes two clay court titles in Buenos Aires and Lyon.

He will next face Czech Nicolas Jarry for a place in the semifinals after the Chilean was handed a walkover by Richard Gasquet.