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.
Marathon Man.@rogerfederer survives to make the @MiamiOpen final!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/hp4BLklQbO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2017
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.
Miami Open 2004: Federer-Nadal Part I
Miami Open 2017: Federer-Nadal Part XXXVIIIf we knew then what we know now… pic.twitter.com/XZ2Hp3WStn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2017
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.”
