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By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, March 31, 2016

 
Nick Kyrgios

Twenty-year-old Nick Kyrgios broke to open and closed with a commanding serve beating Milos Raonic, 6-4, 7-6 (4), to reach the Miami semifinals and crack the Top 20.

Photo credit: Miami Open

The service box seemed to shrink to the size of a mail box for Nick Kyrgios, who air mailed several first serves in the opening stages, lost the gold cross from his neck and spent time muttering to his box between points.

When closing time arrived, a commanding Kyrgios delivered with authority to stamp a spot in his first Masters semifinal.

More: Nishikori Survives Epic Encounter with Monfils

Kyrgios blasted two aces in the tiebreak and blurred a pair of buzzing serves to close a 6-4, 7-6 (4) Miami Open victory over Milos Raonic.

It was a massive victory for the mercurial Kyrgios, who is projected to crack the Top 20 for the first time and surpass Davis Cup teammate Bernard Tomic as the new Australian No. 1 when the new ATP rankings are released on Monday. Kyrgios will be the youngest man to reach the Top 20 since Marin Cilic on Sept. 21st, 2009.

The 24th-seeded Aussie will face Bradenton, Florida resident Kei Nishikori for a spot in Sunday's final.

The sixth-seeded Nishikori saved five match points edging Gael Monfils in a three-set thriller in today's opening quarterfinal.

If Nishikori can recover from a physically-punishing victory over Kyrgios' tennis hero, it could be an electric semifinal tomorrow night pitting the explosive Aussie's serve against Nishikori's sniper return game.

In their lone prior meeting, Nishikori rallied for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph in the 2015 Shanghai second round last year.

"It's obviously exciting," Kyrgios said. "He's one of the best players in the world, he's playing great tennis and I'm just looking forward to go out there and play great tennis."

It was a scratchy start from both sides in their first hard-court clash. Raonic struggled to tame his forehand, while Kyrgios couldn't land his first serve in the early stages.

An emotionally-charged Kyrgios exuded more energy than Raonic, who looked a little stiff in the opening game and paid the price.

The Indian Wells runner-up took the court having held in 30 consecutive service games, but found himself under stress in the opening game. Raonic, who had saved all 11 break points he faced in the tournament, erased a pair of break points, but scattered an inside-out forehand wide as Kyrgios broke for 1-0.

"To be honest, I didn't think I was gonna break," Kyrgios told ESPN's Brad Gilbert in his post-match interview. "I broke first game. I came out really energetic. I got lucky (to break), but that definitely made me relax and play my game easier."




The 20-year-old Aussie wasn't afraid to play big and bold under break-point pressure. In the fourth game, Kyrgios fought off three break points, including plastering a 120 mph second serve then following a net-cord forward for a slick drop volley winner, eventually scraping through for 3-1.

Serving for the set, Kyrgios staved off a break point with a diagonal forehand, laced an ace wide for set point then spun a forehand winner down the line.

Despite serving just 47 percent in the opener, Kyrgios collected a one-set lead.

Seventy-seven minutes into the match, Kyrgios teed off on a 103 mph second serve. His forehand return winner gave him a second break point. Raonic curled an inside-out forehand on the sideline and tapped a high volley to save it. The powerful Canadian saved a third break point holding for 4-3.




Finding his range and rhythm on serve when he needed it most, Kyrgios won eight of nine points played in his last two service games to force the tie breaker.

Then he brought the heat.

Exploding for a 136 mph ace—his fastest of the match—Kyrgios erupted in a primal scream for 2-1. Raonic, who was not moving as fluidly as his opponent, was victimized by sloppy footwork burying a forehand into net to give up the mini break. That was the only lapse Kyrgios needed. He crunched an inside-out forehand winner then cracked a 134 mph ace that was initially called out, but Hawk-Eye showed the ball caught the edge of the service line for 5-2.

Two more stinging serves from Kyrgios closed one of his most important victories in one hour, 44 minutes.The man who spent all night making major noise, pressed an index finger to his lips when it was over.



 

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