Nick Kyrgios has needed just 14 minutes to complete his rain-delayed Washington Open match against Reilly Opelka, efficiently closing out a 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 victory to reach the quarter-finals. 

Saving energy was key for Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios and others playing in hot, humid conditions  at the hard-court US Open tuneup on Friday. 

Kyrgios, the 2019 champion, had to resume his match against American Opelka at 7-6 (7-1) 2-1 after lighting forced play to be suspended on Thursday. 

The Australian was scheduled to return to the court on Friday night for his quarter-final match against Frances Tiafoe.

However, play was suspended again on Friday afternoon because of lightning.

Tiafoe, the No.10 seed, beat eighth-seeded Botic van de Zandschulp 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Also having to play two matches on Friday – weather permitting – was top-seeded Andrey Rublev, who rallied in a second-set tiebreak to beat Maxime Cressy 6-4 7-6 (10-8). Trailing 5-3, Rublev used his reflexes to lob back an overhead smash by Cressy, who missed wide.

“In my head, the second set was done and I’ll just do my best to finish the second and I’ll fight for the third,” Rublev said.

The Russian is seeking his fourth ATP title this year, which would draw him even with Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for the most in 2022. 

He next faces American wild card J.J. Wolf, who advanced to his first tour-level quarter-final by rallying to win the last four games and beat Holger Rune 7-5 4-6 6-3.

Another American, Sebastian Korda, advanced to the quarter-finals by beating fifth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 6-1 6-2.