On another hot and humid day in Atlanta at the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open, second-seeded Nick Kyrgios proved to be stronger under pressure, taking out 32-year-old Fernando Verdasco in three sets, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in one hour and 54 minutes. The heat took its toll on both competitors. Both players were very evenly matched, and Kyrgios admitted that after the contest, describing the match as “100% mental.” During the match, temperatures on the court reached a peak of about 130 degrees, and both players felt the heat for sure.
With the victory, the 21-year-old Australian advances into the semifinals for the first time in Atlanta, where he is making his first appearance. He will face Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who is just 20 years old. Nishikoka earned a straight sets victory over Horacio Zeballos of Argentina earlier in the day, 6-4, 6-4.
After the match, Kyrgios said that he played with Nishioka in the juniors, adding that he has transitioned well to the pro game. With Nishioka being a lefty, Verdasco was a great opponent for the Australian number one, as now he has had a match against a lefty to prepare for his next opponent.
Kyrgios uses dominant first serve to seal first set
Day five proved to be yet another hot day in Atlanta, as one would expect at the end of July in the deep south. This heat level would definitely play a factor throughout the match. As usual, Kyrgios opened up play with quick service games, not waiting too long before serving the next point, which he does in every match.
The Australian number one opened up play very quickly, earning the break early on, and that one break proved to be vital for the number two seed here in Atlanta. Throughout the first set, the crowd was firmly behind Verdasco, yet that crowd support proved to not be enough. As the temperatures rose into the low 90’s, both seeds continued to hold serve until the end of the set, where Kyrgios’ break proved to be the difference.
With his eighth ace of the set, Kyrgios earned his first two set points, and he took full advantage, taking the first set 6-4 in just 28 minutes. The Australian won 94% of his first service points, which equated to losing only one single point on serve.
Verdasco rebounds to claim tight second set in tiebreak
The crowd support for the number eight Spaniard in the world continued to be high. However, the fifth seed started the second set with a double fault, and many wondered if that would be an omen for the match. Verdasco worked hard in the set, as Kyrgios remained steady under the steamy conditions. As the sun continued to beat down on the hard courts of Atlantic Station in downtown Atlanta, it was clear that each player was playing faster than usual.
Both players continued to hold with relative ease. In the seventh game, Kyrgios got his look at the first break points of the set, but he was unsuccessful on both chances. After Verdasco went on to hold that game, Kyrgios slammed his racket onto the court, subsequently resulting in the umpire giving him a code violation. The Spaniard then got his first look at a break point, yet Kyrgios saved that with his 11th ace of the match.
Not before long, this quarterfinal contest was headed for a second set tiebreak. The second seed was the first to strike, claiming the mini break to go up three points to one. At the change of ends, Kyrgios held a 4-2 lead and let out a huge roar. Tensions were rising quickly in this contest.
Seemingly unfazed, the number five seed got the minibreak back and the tides began to turn, quickly. At 5-5, Kyrgios double faulted to give Verdasco his first set point, and that was all the 32-year-old needed, stealing the second set and pushing this contest to a deciding third set.
Kyrgios stays cool in the heat to advance to semifinals
As the third set began, tensions were almost as hot as the heat. Kyrgios began to complain to the chair umpire about how long Verdasco was taking during sets and the Spaniard began to chip back. Throughout the set, fans in the crowd began to get on both players’ nerves as well. Nonetheless, someone had to claim the upper hand.
Some thought that Verdasco, as the veteran, would have an advantage, but the 21-year-old from down under proved that to be wrong. Kyrgios broke in the first game on and consolidated for a 2-0 lead. Kyrgios rode that broke out until the very end, as he proved to be the cooler player under the very hot pressure. As a lefty, Verdasco struggled with his ball toss, and it gave him fits throughout the decider.
After an extremely hot day, Kyrgios will be happy to take a breather this evening before his semifinal match tomorrow against Nishioka. The two young players will face-off tomorrow, with the match not scheduled to begin before 3:00 PM local time on the main Stadium Court.