Nick Kyrgios pulled off one of the wins of his career with a thrilling three set victory over Roger Federer at the Madrid Masters. Kyrgios overcame Federer in 2 hours and 37 minutes after three high-pressure tiebreaks. Kyrgios eventually took out the win 6-7(2-7) 7-6(7-5) 7-6(14-12).
Kyrgios was off to a flyer and broke Federer in the first game of the match. Federer was as cool as ever and was quickly back in the match after Kyrgios had a slight meltdown when serving for the set. A serve that was obviously in was called out and immediately corrected by chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani. Kyrgios was very frustrated and earned himself a conduct violation for arguing too vociferously. Kyrgios went 0/40 down with the set 5-4 in his favour. Federer broke from there and claimed the set comfortably in the tiebreak.
Federer looked to press home his advantage in the second. He broke Kyrgios immediately whose lack of experience was now beginning to show. Kyrgios stopped the rot however and broke back the 17 time Grand Slam Champion to lead 3-2. Federer was shaken from this with Kyrgios playing face paced and exciting tennis smashing ace after ace. Kyrgios went on to claim the second set tiebreak and send it to a decider.
The final set was a solid one from both players. Neither were faced with a single break point. Kyrgios threatened Federer’s serve on a few occasions bringing the Swiss man to 0/30 at one point. None the less both players held out for the decisive tiebreaker. The tiebreak went all the way beyond the required seven point mark. Both players saved multiple match points with Kyrgios putting Federer under immense pressure. But at 13-12 Federer caved in with a loose forehand as Kyrgios took the victory after what was an intense and spectacular affair.
20 year old Kyrgiios will now face big hitting American John Isner in Round Three. It is a huge boost to the young Australian’s season. Kyrgios lost out to Richard Gasquet at the Estoril Open final last week but that will be a distant memory now after his scintillating victory over Federer. It will also give Kyrgios a huge boost ahead of the upcoming French Open.
Federer will be bitterly disappointed. After tasting victory in Istanbul on Sunday he would have expected to see off Kyrgios. However this defeat could prove a big blow to Federer’s season and will surely knock his confidence on clay. Federer will need to bounce back at the Rome Masters next week if he has any aspirations of glory at Roland Garros.
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