ATP Australian Open: Rafael Nadal wins open war against Nick Kyrgios in set no. 3

Sharding the opening two sets, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios delivered another excellent set of tennis in the third, with 35 winners overall and drama all over the place. In the end, Rafa claimed it 8-6 in the tie break, serving well throughout the set and bringing it home for a massive advantage ahead of set number four. Making a fresh start, Nadal dominated with his forehand in the opening game of the third set, taking the first couple of points on the return in game two before Nick fired an ace in the second game to lock the result at 1-1. Restoring the order after that break he suffered in the second set, Rafa claimed another comfortable hold to gain a 2-1 advantage that Kyrgios erased with another powerful service game that brought him back to 2-2. With his serve and forehand working like a charm, the Spaniard added another routine hold to his tally that sent him 3-2 up, unable to do much on the return in the sixth game after a backhand error that returned Nick to 3-3 at the half of the set.

The Spaniard landed a forehand down the line winner in game seven, dropping only two points behind the initial shot in the previous six service games to mount the pressure on the other side of the net again. A forehand winner gave him a break chance in the next game, denied by a perfect drop shot from Kyrgios who held with two service winners for a massive moment that could bring the momentum to his side of the court. Staying calm and focused, Nadal survived two deuces at 4-4 with a forehand down the line winner, moving in front again and challenging Kyrgios to repeat that if he wanted to extend the set. With no sign of nerves, Nick found his serve to follow the rivals pace, leveling the result at 5-5 before Rafa forged the eighth straight comfortable service game for a 6-5 advantage.

Kyrgios survived deuces in the 12th game to stay unbroken and bring the tie break where Rafa earned an instant mini-break for a 2-0 lead. A forehand winner kept Nadal 4-1 in front before Kyrgios pulled the mini-break back in the ninth game after a forehand error from his opponent. A double fault from Nick in the worst possible moment sent Nadal 6-5 up, with another double fault coming from the racquet of world no. 1 for more drama and excitement. A volley winner kept Nadal 7-6 in front and the set was in his hands when Kyrgios netted a forehand in the 14th point, sending Rafa two sets to one in front. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Rt4gdq