Roger Federer has an extremely tough 3rd round ahead as he will face Nick Kyrgios, The erratic Australian is well known for producing his best tennis against the Swiss Maestro, and this contest is widely expected to be brutal.
Why Federer is furious about what happened with Kyrgios
Nick got to the 3rd round after he received a weird motivational talk by the chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani when he looked ready to crash out in the 2nd round against Herbert. Kyrgios was 4-6 0-3 down, and it seemed ready to tank another match. Eventually, the pep-talk from the umpire worked; Nick called the trainer just to take more time, and he defeated Herbert.
Federer would have been elated with avoiding playing Kyrgios in the 3rd round, but eventually, he will have to do that. The Swiss commented
“It’s not the umpire’s role to go down from the chair. I get what he was trying to do. He behaves the way he behaves, and then you decide if you like it or you don’t like it.“But you don’t go speak like that. I don’t know what he said; I don’t care what he said. It was not just about how you’re feeling, ‘Oh, I am not feeling well.’
He was down there for too long. It was a conversation and conversations change mindsets. That’s why it won’t happen again, and everybody knows that.
It’s not the umpire’s role to go down from the chair. You don’t go and speak like that.”
Did this talk change the entire US Open dynamics?
Probably yes. Federer was widely expected to beat Herbert without spending too much energy, while it’s still a question mark if he defeats Kyrgios. Therefore, if Roger loses against the Australian or he will have a very tough match against him, the chances of the Swiss to win the title would be compromised and the all dynamics of the tournament could change.
Roger is right to be furious.
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