Nick Kyrgios beats Ivo Karlovic to set up Rafael Nadal clash
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Updated 18/08/2017 at 21:33 GMT
Nick Kyrgios came from a set down to beat Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 and reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates after winning a point against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio.
Image credit: Getty Images
Kyrgios, who has had an inconsistent year, fell behind as Karlovic dominated early on.
But the Australian dug deep to take the second set 7-6, clearly getting pumped up as he took the set.
That was despite taking a moment to have a little dance during the tie-break.
In a match between two excellent servers both almost looked stuned when their opponent actually managed to land a return but Kyrgios held his nerve in the third set to win.
It is Kyrgios' third Masters' quarter-final of the year but it has been a tough season for the talented, but frustrating, Australian.
He will face Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals later on Friday as the new world number one beat compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6, 6-2.
After having to come through a tie-break in the opening set Nadal breezed through the second to set-up the Kyrgios match.
it will be the first time the pair have faced each other on hard court with Nadal winning both meetings on clay and Kyrgios the only one on grass.
Aug 18 (Gracenote) - Results from the Cincinnati Open Men's Singles matches on Friday
Quarterfinal
7-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Yuichi Sugita (Japan) 6-2 6-1
Round 3
1-Rafa Nadal (Spain) beat Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6(1) 6-2
Nick Kyrgios (Australia) beat Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3
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