By Chris Oddo | Thursday March 2, 2017
21-year-old World No.17 Nick Kyrgios stunned top-seeded Novak Djokovic at the Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, hammering 25 aces and saving the only break point he faced to secure a 7-6(5), 7-5 victory.
The victory in his first match against Djokovic means that Kyrgios has now won his first career meetings against Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Kyrgios owns an 11-17 lifetime record against the ATP's Top 10.
“It’s what I dreamed of as a little kid, playing on these great venues against some of the greatest players in the world,” said Kyrgios. “I never have a problem getting up for these matches.”
Kyrgios played with a lot of fire early and took his chances in the first-set tiebreaker. He aced Djokovic for a 10-9 lead then claimed the set when a Djokovic forehand sailed long.
In the second set the pair marched in lockstep until Djokovic blinked first. Kyrgios broke at love in the 12th game, sealing his victory in one hour and 47 minutes with a clean forehand winner.
“Honestly I had one of the best service matches of my life,” said Kyrgios afterwards. “Hopefully I can keep this run going.”
Kyrgios will move on to face Sam Querrey in the semifinals on Friday, while Rafael Nadal will face Marin Cilic in the other.