Kyrgios closes on Federer clash
Boom Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios is desperate to avoid thinking about a dream match-up with Roger Federer in the fourth round of the Australian Open, despite the unavoidable hype surrounding the potential clash.
Kyrgios yesterday advanced to the third round with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 5-7 6-4 win over 23rd seed Ivo Karlovic. The victory set up a meeting with 75th-ranked Tunisian Malek Jaziri.
The pair have played only once, at qualifiers for the 2013 US Open, with Kyrgios winning.
The 19-year-old will start a warm favourite, while Federer should have little trouble accounting for world No.46 Andreas Seppi, despite a hiccup yesterday when he had to rally from a set down before beating Italy's Simone Bolelli.
Kyrgios is keen to avoid looking too far ahead, but fans are making that difficult.
"It's hard with social media these days and everyone is saying Kyrgios/Federer in the fourth round when the draw first came out," he said.
"It's hard not to look ahead, but … I wasn't looking too far ahead. I knew I had a big task ahead of me with (Federico) Delbonis (in the first round) and I'm really happy that I'm getting through.
"I'm going to feel nervous when I walk out on the court.
"I know it's a good opportunity at a grand slam to play someone who is unseeded."
Kyrgios had to contend with the 211cm Karlovic serving 40 aces yesterday, but remained patient, delivering 25 aces himself and made only 13 unforced errors to win in 2hr. 20min.
The crowd packed Show Court 3 for Kyrgios' match and the hype surrounding him throughout the tournament has been an added pressure. But he has embraced the challenges of the spotlight.
"It's hard not to read that stuff," Kyrgios said. "There should be a lot of expectation on Australian players. It's a home grand slam and we all know there's a lot of expectation on us and I think it's fair enough."
Kyrgios and fellow young gun Thanasi Kokkinakis are scheduled to play doubles together today.
But Kyrgios said he would wait to see how Kokkinakis recovered from consecutive five-set singles matches before deciding whether they would compete.
Kokkinakis was knocked out by Sam Groth, who won 3-6 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-1. Groth will play Bernard Tomic, who defeated German 22nd seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) last night, in the third round.
"I know it's a good opportunity at a grand slam to play someone who is unseeded."" *Nick Kyrgios *
