MADRID – Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has stunned top seed Roger Federer 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (14-12) to knock the Swiss star out of the Madrid Open.
Federer saved five match points yesterday before driving a forehand cross-court wide.
The 20-year-old Kyrgios won on his sixth match point while saving three Federer match-winning chances in their second round clash, which lasted two hours and 37 minutes.
Kyrgios, who knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon last year, sent down 22 aces to Federer’s 15 and next faces John Isner of the United States.
“I couldn’t return his first serve, I had a horrible performance on return of serve,” said Federer.
“That made life difficult for me.
“I’m disappointed with how I played on returns, and that cost me the match.”
Earlier, Rafael Nadal has returned to his claycourt comfort zone, starting his campaign for a fifth Madrid Open title with a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Steve Johnson.
The victory in 74 minutes lifted Nadal’s clay record over Americans to a perfect 10-0 while the third seed improved to 12-3 on the surface this season.
The nine-time French Open champion has four Madrid titles and has played in six finals at his showcase home event.
He is aiming to extend his streak of winning at least one European ATP clay title leading into Roland Garros to 11 straight years. Nadal goes on to face Italy’s Simone Bolelli for a quarter-final spot.
“I think I played a solid match, I played the way I needed to to win that match. I know after a loss like Barcelona (third round) things are not easy when you’re playing the next match,” said Nadal.
“I tried to play the easiest way possible without trying very difficult shots, and trying to be better and better during the match.”
