Nick Kyrgios got the better of big serving Ivo Karlovic in the Cincinnati third round, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Rafael Nadal.
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Kyrgios downs Karlovic, Nadal next
Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC • 3001, Australia, 19 August 2017 | AAP
Nick Kyrgios has danced into the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals, and a date with Rafael Nadal, after winning his rain-delayed match against Ivo Karlovic. The Australian No.1 prevailed 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3 on Friday.
Karlovic was leading 4-3 on serve on Thursday before rain put a stop to proceedings after he had hit eight aces to Kyrgios’ one.
The big-serving Croatian took the first set when play resumed but Kyrgios fought back via a second-set tiebreaker, showing the Ohio crowd a preview of his dance moves in celebration.
“I just had to stay tough,” Kyrgios said after the win. “Obviously I got a couple of lucky points in the breaker and forced a third set.
“I just managed to find some rhythm and find some energy and obviously take the third set.”
Nadal needed an hour and 37 minutes on court to dispatch fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(1) 6-2 and will face Kyrgios later on Friday.
Kyrgios is the only player to beat Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in their respective first meetings, but the 10-time French Open champion holds an overall 2-1 advantage in matches between the pair.
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