By ADAM ZAGORIA
Even Nick Kyrgios had to laugh and shake his head at this shot by Roger Federer.
Among Federer’s 51 winners during his 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 rout of Kyrgios during their third-round match at the US Open was this jaw-dropping flick around the net post off a drop shot.
“I actually didn’t think of it until I hit it,” Federer said on-court.
“Hitting the ball around the net post, it really only happens on a center court this size. In the past, I’ve gotten opportunities to hit around the net post, you go for it. I actually thought today I wasn’t going to get it, so I was just happy to get it. You have to squeeze it over the net somehow. It was definitely a bit of luck, but also good feet. I guess I deserved it. I went for it so that was good.”
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…………Serious?@rogerfederer delivers the shot of the tournament!Sit back and enjoy…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/6GEdG2CcpW
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2018
The outcome might very well have been decided with Federer serving at 3-all, love-40, less than 20 minutes in. He saved four break points in that game — and then never faced another.
In the 30th-seeded Kyrgios’ previous match, the chair umpire climbed down from his seat to have a chat with the Australian’s seeming lack of effort. There was no such visit during this match.
The No. 2-seeded Federer has won five of his record 20 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows, but his most recent U.S. Open trophy arrived a decade ago.
He’ll face 55th-ranked John Millman of Australia next. It’s the first time Millman has reached the fourth round at any major tournament.
“I’m a big fan of John,” Federer said. “Maybe not that many people know him, but he’s a real hard-working guy.”
Always a pleasure talking @usopen with the great @OvermyerTV.
We’ll be on WLNY at 10 pm Saturday and CBS-2 at 11 pm Sunday covering Serena, Fed, Rafa and the controversies of the 1st week. pic.twitter.com/wnWGRFrNvJ
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 1, 2018
(Photo: AP; The AP contributed)
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