By Tennis Now | Friday, March 17, 2017
"Unfortunately, I am unable to play today due to sickness," said Kyrgios announcing his Indian Wells withdrawal.
Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez
Roger Federer advanced to the BNP Paribas Open semifinals without striking a shot.
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from his scheduled blockbuster quarterfinal with Federer due to illness.
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The world No. 16 announced his withdrawal in a Facebook post due illness believed to be food poisoning.
Neither Kyrgios nor Federer had surrendered serve en route to the quarterfinals.
Kyrgios played dynamic tennis defeating Alexander Zverev and world No. 2 Novak Djokovic in succession to reach his first career Indian Wells quarterfinals.
The 35-year-old Swiss, who swept rival Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, said he was surprised by Kyrgios' withdrawal.
"I was totally surprised," Federer told ESPN's Chris Fowler. "Because I was out on court practicing at 9 o'clock. I got here early and came back from practice, came into the locker room and saw Tommy Haas, the tournament director, he said 'Oh did you hear Nick’s not feeling well. He’s ill.'
"I believe Tommy, but I always need to hear it from two or three or four people because you don’t want to let your mind wander and next thing you know you have to scramble. So then the news traveled very fast that Nick's not feeling well. I went back to the hosue and said 'If the tournament needs any help because of the change I’m happy to come out onto court and speak to the people.
"I did hit for a half hour, but I try to conserve energy and just be fighting fit tomorrow."
Four-time Indian Wells champion Federer will face either fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori or 17th-seeded Jack Sock for a place in the final.
The explosive Kyrgios defeated Federer in their lone triple tiebreak meeting in Madrid. Federer said Kyrgios has the ability to play at the top of the game if he can master the weekly grind of the pro circuit.
"I was really excited to play against him," Federer told ESPN. "We all see and we all know Nick's got a very big game. I love his first serve. He hits the lines at will, all directions, on both sides. He can move well for a bigger guy, he’s got a simple technique on the backhand and the forehand is dangerous.
"Now all that matters is his heart and will and and his mind and legs that he’s willing to prove it day in and day out. He’s proved beating Novak back-to-back weeks on Novaks’ best surface... all that stuff makes it fun for him. I just hope that translates to better results on a weekly basis."