Federer proves a point, and how
The most pivotal part of Roger Federer’s US Open victory over Nick Kyrgios, both men agreed, came all of 17 minutes in, when the 20-time major champion was serving at 3-3, love-40 and got out of the jam.
The most spectacular part? That was, anyone who saw it surely would agree, the on-a-fullsprint, drop-shot-retrieving, flickfrom-a-few-inches-off-the-ground, forehand-around-the-netpost, jawdropping winner that Federer conjured up close to the end of the 6-4 6-1 7-5 tour de force in the third round yesterday.
‘‘Almost unreal,’’ said Kyrgios, who admired the bit of racket wizardry with eyes wide open and mouth agape.
‘‘A special one, no doubt about it,’’ declared Federer, who put it up there among his greatest hits.
Much was made of Kyrgios’ previous match, in which chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani climbed out of his seat to have a chat with the 23-year-old player about whether he was giving his best effort while trailing by a set and a break.
This time, of course, Kyrgios received no sort of counsel during the match other than all the muttering, at various volumes, he directed at himself. He doesn’t have a coach and wondered aloud, during the latest in a long line of news conferences that sound more like therapy sessions, whether he should add one — or perhaps someone who could help with the mental aspect of the game.
Federer alluded to one particularly questionable choice Kyrgios made at 5-5, 40-15 in the final set, when he went for a drop shot that found the net instead of simply hitting a normal forehand into the open court.
‘‘Clearly,’’ Federer said, ‘‘when you play that way and you lose, it’s always, like, you feel like he’s so much to blame. But that’s just how he plays.’’ Clearly.
Federer is on course for a quarterfinal showdown with twotime champion Novak Djokovic, a 13-time grand slam champion, who swept past Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets in the night session. Seventh seed Marin Cilic advanced after beating Australian Alex de Minaur in a five-set thriller that finished about 2.20am New York time, de Minaur staving off seven match points before finally succumbing.
In earler women’s action, there was a series of surprises, highlighted by Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber’s 3-6 6-3 6-3 loss to No 29 Dominika Cibulkova. Kerber, who counts the 2016 US Open among her three grand slam trophies, was seeded No 4, and joins No 1 Simona Halep and No 2 Caroline Wozniacki in making exits.
No 6 Caroline Garcia and No 13 Kiki Bertens also lost, while 2017 runner-up Madison Keys came back to beat Aleksandra Krunic 4-6 6-1 6-2.
Only No 3 seed and defending champion Sloane Stephens remains among the top-four seeds. Serena Williams is still in contention after beating sister Venus in straight sets on Saturday.
Former champion Maria Sharapova advanced with a straight-sets win over Jelena Ostapenko.