Nick Kyrgios upset Rafael Nadal in a dramatic second-round showdown at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. His reward for that victory was a date with another one of his bitter rivals and multi-Grand Slam champions. After turning in a second straight inspired performance to beat Wawrinka in three sets, Kyrgios will now have to get himself fired up for a much different opponent on Friday night.
John Isner has never won a major and is also good friends with Kyrgios; both are factors that may make it difficult for the Aussie to get up for this one. This relatively smaller stage just does not bring out the best in him.
Their head-to-head history has been a mixed bag for each player. Isner once led 2-0, with victories at a pair of Masters 1000 events in 2015 (Madrid and Montreal–the latter, ironically, also one round after he defeated Wawrinka). Kyrgios answered with a win on Isner’s Atlanta stomping grounds (2016 final) followed by a 2017 Davis Cup success. The 23-year-old has taken their last five sets 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 7-5, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
But in addition to the aforementioned factors, Kyrgios will almost certainly be less than 100 percent for this semifinal tilt. He outlasted Nadal 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6) after three hours and three minutes–saving three match points in the process–despite dealing with apparent knee, back, and illness issues. The world No. 72 cramped against Wawrinka but managed to survive 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 in two hours and 31 minutes despite moving terribly throughout the final set.
Isner took the court thereafter on Thursday night and did not leave it until 2:30 in the morning, picking up 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(4) win over John Millman that required three hours and five minutes of work. Luckily for the 6’10” American, he managed himself better in the first two rounds–including a 6-4, 6-4 rout of Sam Querrey on Wednesday.
“We’ve played a handful of times; I’ve won a couple, he’s won a couple,” Isner reflected. “He’s an incredible talent–everyone knows that. So it will be a fun match.”
“I didn’t pull up so great after the match against Rafa,” Kyrgios admitted. “But I just love playing here. Even though the crowd can get rowdy at times, the atmosphere is amazing. Before this tournament, I wasn’t playing very good. I was struggling with injuries. To have two good wins, I feel like the year is going back on track for me.”
The former world No. 13 is definitely back in high gear, but he may have to wait until the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) for additional momentum. Nothing bodes well for his chances to deliver another performance like he did at the expense of Nadal and Wawrinka. Moreover, it does not help that Acapulco conditions are perfect for Isner–who fired 38 aces past Millman without double-faulting a single time and served at 79 percent.
Pick: Isner in 2
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Kyrgios in 3 or Isner in 0 or 1.
lol, I like it.
Acapulco does seem to have become a server’s paradise.
Kyrgios in 2
how?
assuming he isn’t injured // shows up to the match, he should still play decently enough to take out Isner who hasn’t been too impressive this year in my opinion.
it’s definitely fair to say that those are two huge assumptions though
we’ll see in a few hours
Both are going to be tired, nick seems more injured. I agree with Ricky, he’ll not bring his best game. I’m not sure if he will even show up.
You buying Nick’s “injury” act? I don’t doubt he has some aches and pains, probably mostly from actually playing after NOT playing, but he ain’t injured. He’s got what Andy Murray calls “niggles”.
I’m going to go with Isner. Hard to imagine Kyrgios having enough in the tank after Nadal and Wawa.
Kyrgios might even tank the match
Agree w/Rick,,,,,Kyrios just won’t be motivated enough against John…Isner in 2.
Isner in two tiebreaks at worst
Apparently, Nick is very motivated when he plays any American tennis player based on his past history. I can see that both players are extremely tired. In this case, if Nick is not injured. Nick in 2 or 3.
Kyrgios seems motivated after all! Maybe he wants to beat three TOP ten players (plus a former TOP tenner) to win his title here?
He maybe has Sasha Zverev in sight next? Their H2H is 3-3 now so one more win, he’ll lead Sasha 4-3. Sasha looks beatable to me.
What Kyrgios has is a big serve, if he’s made to work harder, he’ll lose the point, as can be seen when he plays on clay. The commentators here are over the TOP in their praises for him imo; I mean, if you take away his big serve, I doubt his game is that great that it’s so unbeatable. Talent? I don’t see any of the big four not having the same or even more talent than he has! It’s just that they won’t want to play high risk, go for broke tennis the way he does to show off the talent that they have.
The commentators probably think that having that kind of serve equals having so much talent, but serve is just one aspect of the game; you also need good returns, good defence etc. I mean, once you can return Kyrgios’ serves, and put him under pressure, the guy couldn’t defend well and so he can lose.
His game is based on going all out in the attack, helped by his big serve and doing it quickly, esp when serving, if you can extend the point and make him work, he can lose the advantage. He can move well but doesn’t have the stamina or the patience to stay too long in a point.
Rafa has himself to blame when he had 3MPs and then he DF’ed. Had he taken one of those MPs, I won’t have to bear with all these ott praises for Kyrgios by the commentators here. They habour the fat hope that Kyrgios will turn over a new leaf should he win here. I doubt he would or could change!
Imo, even if Kyrgios is hardworking enough and be serious with his career, he will at best be like a Delpo; he’s too easily injured to go the distance in the week to week grind of the tour. He’ll never be like any of the big four, I believe.
Alright now, let’s see what Sasha can bring to the table to stop this Kyrgios. A bit unfortunate for Isner, to have his previous match end so late, I feel he could’ve done better if not for that.
I can see Kyrgios really dislike Rafa, he can be so smiley and friendly towards Isner but against Rafa, he did all the nasty things.
I think he likes Murray and respects Fed too, doesn’t like Rafa at all, always wants to beat Rafa badly. He’s too friendly with Murray so not beating him even once. I’m not sure how he feels towards Djoko.