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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