World No. 11 Jannik Sinner said he knew he needed to be at his absolute best against Nick Kyrgios as he was glad that he was able to get the job done in the Miami round-of-16. Sinner, seeded at No. 9, beat wildcard Kyrgios 7-6 (3) 6-3 to progress into the Miami quarterfinal.
Both players firmly held on to their serve in the first set as the opener had to be resolved in a tie-break. Sinner took an early 2-0 lead in the tie-break and never looked back as he realized his first set point to win a tight opener.
After winning the first set, Sinner started the second set with a break as Kyrgios was penalized with a game penalty after losing his temper following the lost first set. Kyrgios failed to serve out to stay in the match in the ninth game as Sinner booked a straight-set win.
“Today I raised a little bit my level,” Sinner said in his on-court interview, per the ATP Tour website. “I had to, because he’s a very aggressive player, especially when he serves well. I’m very happy about my performance today.”
Sinner on the key moment of the match
Kyrgios had his chances in the first set but Sinner saved a break point in the third game and two more break points in the fifth game. “I think when I saved a couple of break points early in the first set, it raised my confidence a little bit,” Sinner said.
“Then it was not easy on this one side where the sun was completely in the eye, which you have to manage a little bit the situation also.” Also, Sinner thought he delivered a very balanced performance. “I think he’s very solid on his backhand, which he plays very, very flat,” Sinner said.
“I tried to somehow move him a little bit, trying to make him a little bit off balance, especially trying to get as many balls in return games in the court, which today I think I did very well.”
