Federer sets up Nadal final

Roger Federer has set up a 37th meeting with Rafael Nadal in the Miami Open final. Federer beat rising star Nick Kyrgios 7-6(9) 6-7(9) 7-6(5) in a pulsating three hour 10 minute match in front of a raucous Miami crowd.

One of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the year did not disappoint. Federer, who could move back up to world No.4 at the end of this week, was up against one of the most exciting players on Tour in Nick Kyrgios.

With both men hitting big, opportunities came at a premium in an engrossing opening set. Both men were able to break, but neither was able to fashion a decisive lead. The resulting tiebreak was a characteristically tight affair, with both having opportunities to serve for the set. In the end, Federer was able to hold his serve and take a slender advantage.

The second set resembled the first, with the Miami crowd enjoying high-pressure, quality tennis. Federer came close to breaking on a number of occasions, but each time Kyrgios’ served his way out of trouble.

Once again, the set headed for a tiebreak, and once again it was a see-saw affair. Despite earning multiple ‘mini-breaks’, Federer was unable to finish off the Aussie, who saved a match point at 6-5. With the pressure building it was Federer who cracked, giving Kyrgios an opening with a weak volley that the Aussie duly dispatched. It was the opportunity Kyrgios needed, and a big ace levelled the match at one set all.

With the pressure building in the third, it was Federer who came closest to fashioning a break at the start of the set. With Kyrgios rattled by a time violation at 2-3, Federer forced the game to deuce. Once again, though, the combination of Kyrgios’ brilliant serve and audacious shotmaking got the Australian out of trouble.

And so the set continued.

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Federer was always the one looking more likely to break, but Kyrgios repeatedly played his way out of trouble. In the end, the match would be settled a third, and deciding, tiebreak.

With the tiebreak going on serve, Federer handed Kyrgios the advantage with a loose forehand at 1-2. Kyrgios returned the favour to level the breaker at 3-3, sending the crowd into frenzy. The momentum swung back towards the Australian, but when he was put off by a member of the crowd with the match on his racquet at 5-4, Federer didn’t look back. A double fault gave the Swiss the advantage, and a big serve was all it took to seal a spot in his third final of the year.

Federer goes on to face Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s final. It will be the 37th time the pair have met, and the third time they have played in 2017. While Nadal leads their head-to-head 23-13, Federer is 2-0 (Australian Open, Indian Wells) this season.