Federer to face unseeded Australian John Millman in fourth round on Monday
Tuesday 4 September 2018 14:19, UK
Roger Federer remained on course for a first US Open title in a decade as he delivered an imperious performance to ease past the challenge of Nick Kyrgios in straight sets at Flushing Meadows.
The world No 2, a five-time winner in New York, maintained his perfect progress through the draw with a 6-4 6-1 7-5 victory in one hour and 44 minutes.
Federer came into the meeting with a 2-1 head-to-head record against Kyrgios and after an even opening demonstrated his array of shot-making to book a fourth-round encounter against another Australian John Millman.
"I am always happy to win, even if it had been five sets but I am happy it was three," Federer sad.
"I thought I played very well but at the beginning it was quite hard to get any rhythm - he created more chances but the first set was key.
"I enjoy playing against Nick, he comes up with different types of shot making and that keeps you on the edge and it's always entertaining."
Kyrgios, seeded 30th, came into the match on the back of controversy surrounding the intervention of umpire Mohamed Lahyani during his four-set victory over Pierre-Hugues Herbert but began confidently racing through his opening few service games.
The 23-year-old saw four break points come and go in an eventful seventh game of the first set but Federer landed a hammer blow in coming through the eight-minute hold.
An energised Federer chipped away at Kyrgios' serve to secure the vital first break of the match to secure the first set in decisive fashion, leaving the Australian chuntering his frustration towards his box.
Federer took advantage of a drop in focus from his opponent to secure a second consecutive break to increase his advantage at the start of the second set.
As Federer opened up a double break lead, Kyrgios could be heard saying "I need to hire a coach" in the direction of his support team with the 20-time Grand Slam champion winning seven games in a row as he moved closer to a 17th successive last-16 appearance.
The third set was a more competitive affair with both players continuing to entertain, underlined by a remarkable forehand winner on the run around the net post from Federer during a game in which Kyrgios saved two break points to hold at 3-3.
But the Australian was unable to avoid losing serve four games later before Federer secured victory with an ace to take the acclaim from the New York crowd and his watching family.
Millman had earlier reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career with a 6-4 4-6 6-1 6-3 victory over fellow unseeded player Mikhail Kukushkin.
"I am a big fan of John [Millman] - not many people know too much about him but he is such a hardworking guy and those guys have all the respect from those of us at the top," Federer said about his next challenge.
"He has just been to train with me in Switzerland so we know each other quite well. I am super happy he's got this far but now I will try to stop him."
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.
