'GOAT Roger Federer was too good against me in epic Miami match,' says Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has played only two events this season at home in Melbourne, winning four matches in total and suffering the third-round loss at the Australian Open. The Aussie has missed every tournament since staying at home and not revealing the clay swing's upcoming schedule. Instead, Nick shared footage from his epic 2017 Miami Open match against Roger Federer, praising the Swiss and calling him the GOAT. Nick and Roger have played a couple of memorable encounters, and this was one of those, with two rivals pushing each other to the limits for over three hours! Federer prevailed 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) for his fourth Miami final and the first since 2006, arranging a meeting with his great rival Rafael Nadal. Federer and Kyrgios broke both scored one break in the opening set and served well after that to reach only seven deuces in sets two and three, serving well and keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Roger had 54 winners and 39 unforced errors and faced only two break points, while Nick stood on a solid 38-34 ratio, giving his best to endure all the efforts and cross the finish line first. Kyrgios had a slim lead in the shortest points (92-85), and Roger showed his class in the more extended ones, with a 55-38 advantage on his tally that carried him over the top.

In 2017, Roger Federer prevailed over Nick Kyrgios in three tie breaks in Miami.

An 18-time Major champion had seven break chances (only two in sets two and three) and converted one, as Kyrgios refused to surrender until the very last point. Roger made a great start and dropped only two points in the opening three service games, missing a chance to create the advantage after squandering break points. Kyrgios drew first blood at 3-3 and served for the set at 5-4 before Federer pulled the break back to level the score at 5-5 and created a set point at 6-5. Nick saved it to bring a tie break, squandering two set points and losing it 11-9 after a thriller!

Federer held at love four times in set number two and wasted break chances at 3-3 that could have pushed him over the top. Kyrgios survived and reached another tie break, saving two match points at 5-6 and 7-8 before seizing the third set point at 10-9 to steal the set and force a decider. There were no break chances in the final set, and they were still on a very high note, setting the tone for the deciding tie break. Roger lost six points in six service games and hoped to win another deciding tie break like against Tomas Berdych a day earlier. Nick scored a mini-break for a 3-1 lead before Roger annulled that to lock the result at 3-3, with every remaining point carrying massive weight. Kyrgios got a chance to finish on the victorious side after another mini-break in his bag, leading 5-4 but losing the following two points on serve to find himself 6-5 down after a fatal double fault. Roger didn't miss his opportunity, firing a service winner that brought him the victory after a titanic battle.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3sN8Y5Z