Kyrgios downs Nadal in Acapulco thriller

Nick Kyrgios has enjoyed his biggest win in two years, saving three match points to down world No.2 Rafael Nadal at the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

In a match of the highest quality, the Australian triumphed 3-6 7-6(2) 7-6(6) in three hours and three minutes.

He joins fellow Australians Alex de Minaur and John Millman in the quarterfinals at Acapulco.

Kyrgios stayed focused after dropping the opening set, saving nine break points throughout the match including coming back from 0-40 positions in the final two sets.

Nadal, who wasn’t broken in the match, looked set to triumph when up 6-3 in the deciding tiebreaker.

Rafael Nadal
– Won 10 points more than Kyrgios
– Generated 10 break points
– Faced (and saved) 1 break point
– Hit 17 unforced errors to 49
– Held triple match point
– Lost

This sport.

— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 28, 2019

But Kyrgios saved three match points, including one with a lunging volley that hit the net cord and just landed in.

He’ll take on Stan Wawrinka for a spot in the semifinals.

Wawrinka advanced to the last eight thanks to a 7-6(5) 6-4 win over American Steve Johnson, continuing a return to form

Second-seeded Alexander Zverev is currently facing David Ferrer in the late match, with the winner to play fifth-seeded De Minaur, who got past Feliciano Lopez in a walkover.

Third-seeded John Isner beat fellow American Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal against eighth-seeded Millman, who beat Peter Gojowczyk 6-0 6-2.

Brit Cameron Norrie beat fourth-seeded Diego Schwartzman 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 and will face Mackenzie McDonald, a 6-7(7) 7-5 6-3 winner over sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe.

Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro is sidelined by a knee injury.