Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will be squaring off for the second time in their careers and for the second time this month when they battle for a place in the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. Their only previous meeting just came in the Acapulco quarters, with Kyrgios pulling off a 7-6(9), 7-5 upset.
Djokovic managed to earn himself another shot at the 21-year-old Australian, and he did it the hard way. Indian Wells’ No. 2 seed and defending champion held off Kyle Edmund 6-4, 7-6(5) in his opener after trailing 5-3 in the second set. He then had to face Juan Martin Del Potro on Tuesday night as the proverbial “Group of Death” took center stage in a ridiculously lopsided draw. Djokovic dropped a set to his familiar foe but recovered to prevail 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
The former world No. 1 said afterward that he played his best tennis of 2016 in the third set against Del Potro, and who can argue? Djokovic kicked off the season with a title on Doha despite not being in peak form and he lost early in both Melbourne (to Denis Istomin in the second round) and Acapulco (to Kyrgios).
“Novak, he’s an unbelievable athlete,” Kyrgios commented. “He returns probably the greatest returns in the game’ probably the most all-around player we have. It’s a tough matchup for me. Against Novak, he neutralizes my serve.”
Djokovic can neutralize Kyrgios’ serve, but he did nothing of the sort in Acapulco. So far no one has done it in the California desert, either. The world No. 16 booked his spot in the last 16 by taking out Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-4 and Alexander Zverev by the exact same scoreline. Neither opponent broke serve and Zverev failed to generate a single break point.
As such, Kyrgios was asked about having a fondness for this tournament.
“I don’t know about that, actually,” he responded. “I had some bad experiences here. First time here I tore a ligament in my foot. Last year I was sick. I lost early. This tournament hasn’t been very nice to me in the past.”
It may not be nice to him again on Wednesday. Although balls fly through the air in Indian Wells, the courts are slow. As a whole, conditions are slower than they were in Acapulco–which is bad news for Kyrgios when going up against Djokovic. Not only will the Serb be eager for revenge after what was clearly a disappointing loss to Kyrgios a few weeks ago, but both his level of play and his focus were also ramped up dramatically against Del Potro.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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WWW?
Kyrgios in three
Nole now has the advantage of seeing Nick’s game (which was phenomenally creative vs Zverev).
Nole will use that loss to make the necessary adjustments and win.
He was insanely good in the third set last night vs a factory-second Delpo.
If Kyrgios plays his creative game plus serves and hits without missing, there’s nothing much Djoko could do. However, I don’t expect Kyrgios to play that way; that was a once in a blue moon kind of match.
Krgios put on quite a show yesterday though. Saw a highlight reel and he was really in the zone.
This one is tricky to pick. Novak did look really good in that third set. He will definitely be out to get the win this time. Kyrgios was in the zone in their last match. Just seeing the ball well and not missing.
Kyrgios will have to put in another stellar effort if he wants to win. I just don’t think lightning will strike twice.
The thing is, Djoko is not Sasha, he will use his guile to beat Kygrios the way he did to beat Delpo. Against power players like Delpo and Kygrios, one can’t overpower them but to use one’s tennis brain, court craft in addition to one’s own tennis skills to beat them. The big four all have those abilities.
Serbian press praised Nole’s performance last night stating ‘Nole of old’ and ‘Novak is back’…I do think Novak looked convincing in that third set but it was against fading Delpo… did not think Delpo could win anyway, not at such hot weather and with Novak forcing long points and attacking constantly Delpo’s weak BHs…
Nick can beat anyone anytime! It depends on his attitude and motivation to win. Guess Novak will be more focused this time around…
I will go with motivated and pumped up Nick to show up! He has this great opportunity to meet two of the three Greatest of all times with pretty good chance to beat them both..,that would make news for a while and will put him in the spotlight so I think he will just give his best..
Nick in 3 is my pick!
Nole in 3
I’mjust coming back f IW and Kyrios has a different look about him…more focused, more self control…I’ll take him in 3.
Yep. Don’t wanna speak too soon but looks like he’s turning a corner. Maybe that suspension actually did give him a wake up call? All I know is he’s so locked in and his serve is downright awesome lately.
Djokovic routinely taking 30 seconds and longer to serve.
Where are all the time warnings?
Oh right, his name isn’t Rafa.
Nick cares. He really does!
This Kyrgios is the reason why he’s one of my favorite players. When he’s locked in he’s top 5 no doubt in my mind. So much skill so much easy power he’s just a friggin boss. If he wins this, backing up the W will be even tougher than backing it up in Acapulco where he didn’t even take down Querrey the next match.
What Benny said. Yup.
#DjokoSmash
Kyrgios seals the first set with an ace! And Djokovic DESTROYS his racquet in disgust! Not much he can do when Nick serves like that… Not much anyone can do!
Well he could try not dropping his serve in his first service game for starters.
*Not much you can do on return…
Definitely not.
He’s very frustrated but credit to him for not letting it affect him.
Kyrgios mental strength is impressing me a lot right now. Djoker is starting to put some more pressure in the NK service games and making more balls but Nick is keeping his composure so well.
Small signs of Kyrgios beginning to wilt.
I still think Nole outlasts him here.
Bigger signs now
Nick tiring.
He’ll either break for 7-5 or take the tiebreak to send it to a deciding set.
Nick just missed his one chance to win the match by not going for it on Noles weak second serve on BP.
Again with a weak return in his second BP.
Nole gonna be one tired puppy in the QF.
Or not.
Four match points.
Djoko at 1-3 took 40 seconds to serve.
No warning.