In the first semifinal of the day at the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open, Australian superstar Nick Kyrgios advanced into the finals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Japanese number two Yoshihito Nishioka in one hour and 35 minutes. Kyrgios made it two career victories over the 20-year-old from Japan, having defeated him in 2014 in Savannah at a Challengers event. This is his first victory over Nishioka on the ATP World Tour.

With the hot temperatures and humid atmosphere, the 21-year-old Australian was aided in part by his strong serve. Kyrgios hit 16 aces, many at pivotal moments in the contest. Making his first appearance at the BB&T Atlanta Open, Kyrgios has played all of his matches in the scorching afternoon heat, yet has found a way each time to get through the contest.

“I got here pretty early, and I prepared very well for this event I think,” Kyrgios said. "I’m glad I was pushing through this week; you know it’s not easy conditions.”

“It feels good [to get this far],” the second seed continued. “I definitely knew at the start of the week that I could get this far, and I knew that if I played to the right style of tennis I could. It’s not really surprising, but it’s rewarding.”

Kyrgios starts strong, takes first set 6-3

Coming into this contest, Kyrgios was going to play his second lefty in a row. Yesterday, he defeated Fernando Verdasco in three sets. Kyrgios admitted that it was nice to play against a lefty’s serve yesterday to prepare for today.

“I feel like I match up well against left-handers,” Kyrgios said. “I can take my backhand cross pretty well. I’m comfortable playing left-handers.”

The match started routinely, with holds of serve. Kyrgios got his first break point shot in the sixth game of the match and finally converted for a four games to two lead. The heat was getting to both players, and the second seed’s usually fast-paced game paid off.

Kyrgios had a set point in the eighth game but was unable to convert. He served for the set up five to three and finished it off, taking the set in 32 minutes 6-3.

Just getting to the ball, Nishioka slices his shot back across the net. Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images
Just getting to the ball, Nishioka slices his shot back across the net. Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images

Nishioka takes advantage of unfocused Kyrgios to steal second set

Just as it seemed that the Australian number one was headed for a straight set victory, Nishioka made a push just as Kyrgios began to lose focus. Nishioka broke Kyrgios in the second game and consolidated the break for a three games to love lead.

At this point, Kyrgios began to lose focus and shut his game down. However, he explained after the match that this was all part of his strategy, using a boxing analogy.

“When a boxer puts his hands down in the ring, it’s a strategy,” Kyrgios said. “I’m saving myself to come out in the third set and win the match. That’s what I did. When I stay focused I usually win, when I don’t I lose. I stayed focused.”

Nishioka rode the breakout and played well until the end of the second set, taking the second set 6-3 in 31 minutes. This semifinal was headed for a deciding third set.

Kyrgios regains momentum to advance into final

After the second set, both competitors took an off-court break. While there was some cloud cover over the Stadium Court, the heat was still a major factor. The feel-like temperature rose into the low 100's Fahrenheit.

As the deciding set commenced, neither player got a look at a break chance until the sixth game. Kyrgios raced out to a 0-40 lead on Nishioka's serve, and it seemed that the second seed was on his way to victory. Nishioka, on the other hand, had no such plans to concede his serve so easily.

The world number 97 saved all three break points to get back to deuce. However, on his fourth break chance of the game. Kyrgios finally converted to go up four games to two. He went on to victory, taking the deciding set 6-3.

After the match, Kyrgios said that he worked very hard for the victory, as Nishioka was a very tough opponent.

“He’s a great competitor,” Kyrgios said. “He’s unbelievably fast at the back of the court. He makes an unbelievable amount of balls, runs everything down. He made me play a lot. Serving was key for me today. Towards the end there, that’s what won me the match.”

Kyrgios hits one of his 16 aces of the match. Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images
Kyrgios hits one of his 16 aces of the match. Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images

Kyrgios advances into the final tomorrow in Atlanta. He will face either John Isner or Reilly Opelka, two big serving Americans who are both over six-foot 10. Despite the challenge, the Australian number one is looking forward to the contest.

“I’m looking forward to [tomorrow] to be honest, not having to run for so many balls,” Kyrgios joked. “Whoever’s going to serve the best and just compete the best, put enough balls back to that person is probably going to win the match. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and not having like 20 ball rallies.”

“It’d be awesome [to play Isner tomorrow],” Kyrgios continued. “We talked about at the start of the week that we would like to play each other in the final. We knew that we were both going to be in Atlanta and we’re going to have a good time. It’d be awesome to play him, but he has a tough match tonight. Reilly has been playing really well.”

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About the author
Jake Best
Jake Best is a student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, majoring in journalism as well as minoring in French and Francophone studies. Beyond tennis, Jake has an interest in politics. He is the former president of Gators 4 Hillary. He also enjoys NFL football, baseball as well as world travel.