Sports Emcee Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[2] Roger Federer -02- (SUI) def [30] Nick Kyrgios -30- (AUS) | 64 61 75
The Enigma. Nick Kyrgios. An instinctive, natural talent who can truly dismantle ANY opponent on any given day – when his head’s in it.
But as Kyrgios has proven time and again, he doesn’t have any more control over the mental aspect of his game than a parent has of a screaming toddler pitching a sleep-deprived fit in the candy aisle. It sucks. For Nick, and tennis. Because the guy is THAT GOOD.
Knowing this, Nick is the one player who gives the Tour’s most mentally-disciplined top-level talent nightmares. When his head cooperates, Kyrgios can easily be the better player on the court, despite how well the sport’s best tactically adjust.
Case in point, Nick’s history with 5-time (2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008) US Open Champion Roger Federer…
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa angle-up”] 2018 Stuttgart SF | Roger Federer 67(2) 62 76(5)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa angle-up”] 2017 Laver Cup | Roger Federer 46 76(6) [11–9]
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa angle-up”] 2017 Miami SF | Roger Federer 76(9) 67(9) 76(5)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa angle-up”] 2017 Indian Wells QF | Roger Federer W/O
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa angle-up”] 2015 Madrid R32 | Nick Kyrgios 67(2) 76(5) 76(12)
In their first meeting 4-years-ago, Nick won a triple tiebreak thriller 14-12 in the decider. Insane. In the three Tour-level matches before today’s 3rd-Round clash at the US Open, eight of the nine sets played resulted in tiebreaks. Obviously, the Enigma can ball with the best.
On Saturday however, the history and hype did not materialize into a magical five-setter on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Roger was several steps ahead the entire match, accurately moving Kyrgios from side-to-side, effectively keeping the Aussie off-balance, forcing Nick to take chances. Kyrgios simply couldn’t find a winning rhythm, even though his head was actually in it.
This was a match where Roger Federer was simply being…Roger.
NEXT: [2] Roger Federer -02- (SUI) vs. John Millman -55- (AUS)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def [30] Nick Kyrgios -30- (AUS) 64 61 75 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Benoit Paire -56- (FRA) 75 64 64 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Yoshihito Nishioka -177- (JPN) 62 62 64 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
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[2] Roger Federer -02- (SUI)
He is arguably the greatest player in the history of the game. Earlier this year, he won HIS 6th Australian Open title, and regained the World #1 ranking. With his six wins Down Under, 1 Roland Garros victory, 8 Wimbledon crowns, and 5 titles here in 2004, five, six, seven, and eight – He owne a record 20 career Grand Slam Singles titles and the career Grand Slam. He’s a Davis Cup Champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, is the reigning Laver Cup Champion with Team Europe, and has captured the year-end ATP Finals a record 6-times. With a remarkable 98 career ATP World Tour Singles titles – He has held the ranking of World #1 for a record 310 weeks. From Basel, Switzerland, please welcome, 5-time US Open Champion…Roger Federer.
[30] Nick Kyrgios -30- (AUS)
Competing in his 6th US Open, he is through to the 3rd-Round for the third time. Four-years-ago, the tennis world stood-up and took notice when – at 19-years-old, as a Wild Card ranked outside the top-100 – he defeated World #1 Rafael Nadal to reach the Quarterfinals in his Wimbledon debut. Ranked as high as World #13, he’s a 2-time Davis Cup Semifinalist, and started 2018 by capturing his 4th ATP World Tour Singles title in Brisbane; earning his 9th career-win over a top-5 opponent, defeating World #3 Grigor Dimitrov to reach the championship match. Making his Arthur Ashe Stadium debut, from Canberra, Australia – Please welcome…Nick Kyrgios.
