Federer survives Berdych threat in Miami

Fifth-seeded Nadal, who has never lifted the Miami trophy, advanced with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over unseeded Italian Fabio Fognini.

Roger Federer came through a three-set thriller with Aussie Nick Kyrgios to book his spot alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal in the Miami Open final.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has yet again let his frustrations get the better of him in his semi-final match against Roger Federer at the Miami Open.

“I guess you get better over time handling pressure”, Federer said.

“My serve worked well”, Nadal said, per the ATP World Tour’s official website.

A double fault from Kyrgios on the 19th point would prove costly, Federer taking the set when the Australian sent a backhand wide. [I should have had] a break at the beginning of the second.

The big-hitting Kyrgios was frequently booed by the crowd for racquet throwing and language – and sometimes for very little – but appeared to be enjoying the role of pantomime villain.

“Strange”, he said. “Maybe I need to tie it stronger”.

Nadal was the first into Sunday’s final after he defeated Fabio Fognini 6-1, 7-5 in one hour and 30 minutes.

The Swiss, who has won two of his last three tournaments including the Australian Open, had to dig deep to get through a second straight test after fending off a match point in his quarter-final victory over Tomas Berdych.

This setback did not affect the Swiss as it began with the scores level, whereas the young Kyrgios was once again up to the challenge as the set, as well as the match, drifted again towards a tiebreaker. Kyrgios earned just two break points against the Swiss star’s serve, per the ATP Tour’s official website, and couldn’t come through against the 18-time major victor in the decisive tiebreak. “He was the one serving out the match, didn’t make it. When you don’t convert opportunities you’re in trouble, and that’s what happened”, he said.

So far in Miami, Rafa has only dropped a single set. The match became odd – not a lot of rhythm.

“I tried to really fight for it”.

Would it be Federer, the 35-year-old father of four whose resurgence this season has surprised even himself?

The second set saw both players hold their service games, in contrasting manners, however, as Federer was completely dominant on his serve but Kyrgios had to save a couple of break points.

“I have a lot of work to do”, Kyrgios said.