After a thrilling 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(12) win for Nick Kyrgios, Federer admitted that his biggest problem had been the 20-year-old Australian’s serve.
“My problem was I couldn't return his first serve,” said Federer, who won 18 of 85 first serve return points. “[It] was just a horrible performance on the return.
“As the match went on it got so bad that I just couldn't get into decent positions on the return, so it made it very difficult to get any sort of rhythm after that.
“But credit to him for serving well and keep doing what he was doing. But I'm very disappointed by that. That's what cost me the match, in my opinion.”
Federer is now 26-3 against players born in the 1990s, with his only other losses coming to Federico Delbonis (2013 Hamburg) and Milos Raonic (2013 Paris-Bercy).
The four-time former Madrid champion was full of praise for Kyrgios, admitting, “He's got a wonderful serve [and] good potential, so I hope he keeps working hard and that he can compete for the best spots in tennis.
“It was a fast paced match in terms of we don't take much time between points… I expected it to be difficult match.
Federer and Kyrgios both trained together prior to last year’s Roland Garros.
“He likes the big stage,” added Federer. “He's got nothing to lose, no fear, and he's got a great game. He can rely on his serve so much. It keeps him in the match regardless of he how he plays from the baseline.”
Federer drops to 21-4 on the season, which includes three ATP World Tour titles at Brisbane (d. Raonic), Dubai (d. Djokovic) and Istanbul (d. Cuevas).
Missed opportunities in that last 3rd set tie-break & not keeping the lead in the beginning of 2nd set. Hopefully Roger can redeem himself in Rome in time for the French Open.
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