TWO FIRSTS FOR SOCK

American beats top five opponent, reaches Masters 1000 semis

INDIAN WELLS Beach Open in Florida and at the Auckland Classic in January.

Eighteen-time grand slam winner Federer advanced to the semi-finals without lifting a racquet as suspected food poisoning forced Australian Nick Kyrgios to withdraw from their much anticipated quarter-final.

Kyrgios, who beat Novak Djokovic for the second tournament in a row to reach the last eight, took to twitter about an hour before the scheduled start of the match against the Australian Open champion to announce his withdrawal.

“I’m so sorry but I can’t play today,” he said. “After a restless night of being sick I have nothing left and to play a great champion like Roger, I need to be at my best to have a chance.

“I don’t take this decision lightly, these are the matches we train for but I’m in no fit state to take the court.”

Sock had no such problems and he hit the mark right at the start of deciding third set by breaking Nishikori in the opening game as the World No 5 struggled to find the range on his usually pinpoint groundstrokes.

The American earned the important

I feel like I’m playing some great tennis right now.”

JACK SOCK

second break against a battling Nishikori by converting his fifth break point of a marathon fifth game before going on to serve out victory in one hour 48 minutes.

“I think he served really well,” said Nishikori. “I was having a really tough time with my return, missing a lot, and giving him a lot of short balls. And he was attacking really well, first and third sets.

“I didn’t play my best tennis today, but I think he played good tennis also.”

Sock has lost his two previous matches against Federer, including a 6-3, 6-2 decision at Indian Wells in 2015.

“The last time I played him here I didn’t really go out on court thinking I had much of a chance,” said Sock. “He’s playing some good tennis, I’m playing some good tennis, so I’m really looking forward to a battle.” Reuters