By Chris Oddo | Sunday, January 25, 2015
Nick Kyrgios saved a match point and came back from two sets down to become the youngest Aussie Open quarterfinalist in 24 years.
Photo Source: Getty
Nick Kyrgios gave the people what they want on Day 7 of the Australian Open. And then some.
Video: Kyrgios Goes Around Net Post Only to Be Thwarted by Seppi
The 19-year-old phenom fought back from two sets down to defeat Italian Andreas Seppi, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), 8-6, and become the first Aussie man to reach the last eight at his home Slam since 2005.
“It feels so good, thank you,” an appreciate Kyrgios told the screaming throngs of spectators during his on-court post-match interview.
Kyrgios, who fell behind two sets to love before rallying, saved a match point in the fourth set before converting on his first opportunity in the 14th game of the decider.
“I was just drawing from my experience from Wimbledon,” Kyrgios said, referring to his 10 match point-saving comeback from two sets down that eventually led to his first career quarterfinal appearance at a major. “Coming back from two sets to love down against [Richard] Gasquet, I knew I had the legs to do that.”
With his victory, Kyrgios becomes the youngest man to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since 1990. He hammered 25 aces and saved 9 of 12 break points in the back-and-forth battle that featured spirited rallies and plenty of tense, hair-raising moments.
“He had a lot of confidence and I knew he was going to make a lot of balls,” Kyrgios said of Seppi. “He broke me at pretty critical times.”
But Kyrgios would secure the most critical break of the evening. After the pair traded breaks in the final set, the young Aussie broke Seppi to love in the 14th game to unleash pandemonium in Hisense Arena.
Kyrgios awaits the winner of tonight’s final round of 16 match, currently being played between Andy Murray and Grigor Dimitrov, in the quarterfinals.
“They’re top-class players and their obviously battling it out now,” said Kyrgios. "Right now I’m going to do everything I can to recover and just enjoy it.”
The 19-year-old can also enjoy the fact that his victory puts him in pretty good company in terms of Grand Slam wins for a teenager. He becomes the first teenager to make multiple major quarterfinals since Roger Federer did so (Roland Garros, Wimbledon, 2001).
Elsewhere on Day 6, the other Aussie bidding to reach the quarterfinals didn’t fare so well, as Bernard Tomic was knocked off by Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Berdych will face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.