Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC • 3001, Australia, 28 March 2017 | AAP

Nick Kyrgios has prevailed over big-serving Ivo Karlovic in three tough sets to progress to the fourth round of the Miami Open.

The Australian was never broken in the 6-4 6-7 (7-4) 7-6 victory at Key Biscayne on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), winning the deciding tie-breaker 7-2.

Kyrgios won 94 per cent of points on his first serve, but against Karlovic it was always to be a fight on the return. Despite Kyrgios pushing hard for the break on numerous occasions, the big Croat was able to serve his way out of a corner.

In a frustrating match Kyrgios, seeded 12th, maintained his composure to reach the fourth round of his fourth straight ATP tournament, keeping his 100 per cent winning record over Karlovic from three matches.

Kyrgios will next play the winner of eighth-seed David Goffin’s clash with Diego Schwartzman for a spot in the quarter-finals.