Nick Kyrgios was at his ruthless best on Friday evening at the Western & Southern Open, blasting past Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-5 to secure a spot in the semi-finals. It was the 100th tour-level victory for the Aussie.
Kyrgios dominated from start to finish in his second match of day, reaching his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final of the year (Miami) and first in Cincinnati. Less than seven hours after rallying past Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 in their rain-delayed third round affair, he needed just 80 minutes to thwart the soon to be World No. 1.
"Being a little kid playing on centre court of Cincinnati against Nadal, that's the way the best has to come out," said Kyrgios.
The victory was even more impressive considering the contrast in styles between opponents, with Kyrgios overcoming the big-serving Karlovic and more baseline oriented game of Nadal. With the Spaniard eliminated, it marks the first time since Paris 2012 that no member of the Big Four of Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are in the semis of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. That's 42 straight Masters 1000 tournaments.
No stopping Nick!@NickKyrgios speeds past Nadal in straight sets to make the last 4 in Cincinnati.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/wVU7hP8pn7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 19, 2017
Kyrgios exploded out of the gates on a beautiful Friday evening at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The Aussie landed punch after punch, utilising his great agility and aggressive gameplan to deliver a fiery statement.
Kyrgios would claim 10 of the first 11 points, seizing an immediate break in Nadal's opening service game and chasing down a drop shot for an insurance break for 3-0. The 22 year old won seven of eight points on Nadal's second serve in the set, rifling return winners with aplomb. He'd take the opener after just 25 minutes, claiming all five points lasting over five shots.
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The second set featured much of the same, as Kyrgios fought off a break point and claimed an early advantage with a break for 3-2. Nadal would not go down quietly, however, fighting off a pair of match points while serving at 5-3 and one more with Kyrgios serving for the match at 5-4. He would break for 5-all, but the Aussie responded in kind in the next game. He would break right back following an error-strewn service game from Nadal and successfully served out the win with his 10th ace of the match.
"He obviously is a tough match always," said Nadal. "Nick is a great player, but I played poorly. I started the match well and then I played a very bad game in the second set when he broke me. I played some good points. He had some mistakes and I was able to be back in the match. And then I played a terrible game. So it was a bad match for me. Congrats to him. That's it.
"I love this tournament so much. It is improving every year. But I don't know why I don't find my rhythm here. It is tough for me to compete well here. But I'm going to keep trying next year."
With top seed Nadal out, it marks the first time since 2006 that no Top 5 seeds will feature in the Cincinnati semi-finals.
Kyrgios will face David Ferrer in Saturday's semi-finals. Ferrer took their lone previous encounter in the first round of the 2013 US Open. Seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov battles 14th seed John Isner in the other semi-final.
"I'm not even looking ahead," Kyrgios added. "Obviously tomorrow against Ferrer, it's going to be a tough battle. He's a great competitor. I don't even know how long he's been on tour for. Looks like he's trying to find his range again. Looks like he's playing much better now than he was last year.
"I know that he's feeling confident. To beat Dominic in straight sets. He's beat guys like Jack Sock the last couple of weeks, as well. He's playing good tennis against good players. I know it's going to be tough."
