Kyrgios gallant as Federer returns to No.1
Nick Kyrgios pushes Roger Federer to three sets in tight Mercedes Cup semifinal in Stuttgart.
Nick Kyrgios pushes Roger Federer to three sets in tight Mercedes Cup semifinal in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart, Germany, 17 June 2018 | tennis.com.au
Nick Kyrgios’ return to singles action after a two month lay-off has ended with a tight three-set loss to Swiss champion Roger Federer in the Stuttgart semifinals.
Federer recorded a hard-fought 6-7(2) 6-2 7-6(5) victory in one hour, 51 minutes. The result propels the 20-time Grand Slam champion back to world No.1, overtaking Rafael Nadal in the top position.
https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/1008089370140794882
“I’m very relieved because I knew it was a tough match against Nick,” said Federer.
“We’ve played so many breakers and it could have gone either way.”
Kyrgios hit 23 aces in the loss, a positive sign his elbow injury won’t prevent him from being a threat at Wimbledon next month.
https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1008118842520887296
Meanwhile in s-Hertogenbosch, the hopes of an all-Australian final were dashed with both Bernard Tomic and Matthew Ebden defeated in the semifinals.
Tomic, a No.181-ranked qualifer playing his first ATP-level semifinal in two years, pushed world No.30 Richard Gasquet to three sets. The Frenchman won 6-4 6-7(6) 6-2.
Ebden also lost to a Frenchman, with Jeremy Chardy posting a 6-4 7-5 win.
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