ATP Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios responds against Rafael Nadal!

Losing the opening set 6-3 with one break on the rival's tally, Nick Kyrgios raised his level against world no. 1 Rafael Nadal in the second set of their fourth-round Australian Open clash to take it 6-3 and level the score at 1-1. Reducing the number of errors and imposing his strokes, Nick survived a tough opening game and never looked back, stealing Nadal's serve in the fourth game and bringing the set home with marvelous serving. Facing an ultimate challenge in the first game of the second set, Nick repelled three break chances, holding after four deuces and giving himself a massive boost for the rest of the set.

Leaving those wasted opportunities behind him, Rafa landed an ace down the T line to level the score at 1-1, hoping for more chances on the return in the next game, That didn't happen, though, with Kyrgios finding the way to impose his shots and stay in the rallies with a mighty opponent, holding at 15 with a beautiful lob winner and delivering his first break of serve a few minutes later thanks to a forehand down the line winner that Nadal failed to catch. Serving at 3-1, Nick brought the game home at love when Nadal's backhand landed long, confirming the advantage and looking much better on the court than just 15 minutes ago.

Rafa held at love in the sixth game with a perfect forehand down the line to reduce the deficit but there was nothing he could do on the return in the next game, with Kyrgios who punched a forehand winner that sent him 5-2 up, playing with more and more confidence in front of the home crowd. Serving to stay in the set, Nadal hit another monstrous forehand crosscourt winner to remain one break short before Nick grabbed the set with two aces in the next game to level the overall score at 1-1 and stay in contention. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36APpC8