Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios is buzzing after upstaging Novak Djokovic for the second time in a fortnight to set up a quarter-final with Roger Federer in Indian Wells.
Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Photosport
Continuing his rich vein of form, Kyrgios defeated three-time defending champion Djokovic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to power into the last eight of the Masters 1000 event for the first time.
Kyrgios struck 14 aces, 25 winners and didn't face a single break point in repeating his victory over the 12-times grand slam champion in Mexico earlier this month.
"It feels good. I knew what I had to do today. It was always going to be tough; he is a great champion," said the Australian No.1.
Eyeing his third semi-final showing in as many tournaments, Kyrgios is yet to drop serve in three matches this week.
World No.2 Djokovic had been riding a four-year, 20-match winning streak in the Californian desert and hailed his third-set display against Juan Martin del Potro in the previous round as his best tennis of the year.
But he had no answer to Kyrgios' awesome firepower and sublime touch, the flustered Serb obliterating his racquet after losing the first set and constantly berating himself as the match slipped away.
Federer was just as impressive in dispatching great rival Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-3 in just 67 minutes.
In a rematch of the Australian Open final, Federer broke Nadal four times to record a third-straight win over the Spaniard for the first time in a decade.
Kyrgios made a flying start to his match, breaking Djokovic in the opening game of the match.
He was utterly untroubled on his own serve until Djokovic dug in to win the longest rally of the match, a 33-point slugfest, to have Kyrgios under pressure at 15-30 trying to close out the first set.
Kyrgios was more than up for the challenge, though, showing impressive foot speed and brilliant hands to mow down a Djokovic drop volley and whip a running crosscourt pass in front of the Serb.
The Australian followed up with his seventh ace to clinch the set and draw a code violation from his frustrated foe.
Djokovic upped the ante in the second set, but Kyrgios again had all the answers, breezing through the tiebreaker to advance in just under two hours.
Kyrgios beat Federer in their only previous meeting, in Madrid two years ago.
"Roger is one of my favourite players of all time," said the 15th seed.
"(But) it's just another match for me. I have to get ready for tomorrow.
"I am serving really well. That is creating chances for me to put pressure on their service games.
"My mentality is improving and I am trying really hard to fight for every point and just compete."
In other fourth-round matches, fourth seed Kei Nishikori cruised past Donald Young 6-2 6-4, Pablo Cuevas upset 11th seed David Goffin 6-3 3-6 6-3, American No.17 seed Jack Sock defeated Malek Jaziri 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 and No. 21 seed Pablo Carreno Busta beat Dusan Lajovic 6-4 7-6 (7-5).
-AAP
