Federer Edges Kyrgios in Three-Set Thriller to Set Up Miami Open Final Against Nadal | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Thursday / March 28.
  • Federer Edges Kyrgios in Three-Set Thriller to Set Up Miami Open Final Against Nadal

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    The tennis world will be treated to a third match this year between longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

    The two will meet in the Miami Open final on Sunday after Federer defeated Nick Kyrgios 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) in an epic semifinal that lasted three hours, 10 minutes. Federer improved to 18-1 in 2017 with the win.

    Kyrgios slammed his racket to the ground three times after the match. He double-faulted at 5-5 in the tiebreak after a fan yelled out on the previous point and distracted him. Federer then served an ace on match point.

    Nadal had an easier time earlier Friday with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Fabio Fognini.

    Now the two rivals will meet for a 37th time. The Spaniard leads 23-13 all-time, including 8-4 on outdoor hardcourts, but Federer has won their last three encounters, including a thrilling five-set final at the Australian Open where Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title. Federer also crushed Nadal in straight sets en route to the title in Indian Wells earlier this month.

    Nadal is 0-4 in Miami Open finals, while Federer is seeking his third title. Federer beat Nadal in the 2005 Key Biscayne final in five sets and won again in 2006, but hasn’t been to the final since.

    Nadal beat Federer in their first-ever match in Miami in 2004.

    “You could tell that he was definitely going to win the French at that point,” Federer said.

    Now, all these years later, the two resurgent tennis stars will meet for yet another championship.

    “It’s going to be super-special playing him in the finals,” Federer said.

    Said Nadal: “I’m just excited to play against Roger always. He’s a big challenge for me, and I think for everybody.”

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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