Showtime Kyrgios calls tune against Federer

It's always showtime for flamboyant Australian Nick Kyrgios, whose career received a massive boost Wednesday when he defeated Roger Federer 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (14/12) at the Madrid Open.

Over the course of the past 10 days, the world number 35, who only turned 20 last Monday, has played his first ATP final (losing in Estoril to Richard Gasquet) and added the mighty Federer to a list of elite victims which already included Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014.

But for bling-loving Kyrgios, there is not a lot to get excited about.

"I guess there's nothing to be nervous about really, just another tennis match," he said after seeing off Federer in a two and a half hour contest on his sixth match point.

"It's another chance to have some fun and play the sport that you put so many hours into during the day.

"I've been doing it for a long time already and I'm only 20. I don't see why there is a reason to be nervous."

Kyrgios played Estoril after sitting out six weeks with an ankle injury suffered in March at Indian Wells.

Judging by his form against Federer, he is now fully fit as he prepares to take on giant American John Isner who beat Thomaz Bellucci with 23 aces -- one more than Kyrgios managed against the world number two.

Kyrgios took the win over Federer -- one of his childhood tennis idols -- in his stride.

"It was exciting," he said. "Obviously last night it was a bit tough to get some sleep knowing that I was going out there.

"But before the match I didn't feel nervous or anything like that. I was just excited to get out to the court.

"I've been playing well recently on clay, so I knew I had a good chance to go out there and do well. I stuck to my game and served well and I got the win."

The Kyrgios potential has been evident for some time -- enough for Federer to even invite him to a Zurich claycourt training block almost a year ago prior to the 2014 French Open.

"I guess that's why you play the game, to play on these big courts against these big players. Roger's the greatest of all time, no doubt.

"When you're growing up and playing and watching these guys, you want to go out there. That's one thing I think about every time I step out against one of these guys on a court like that."
Source: AFP