Stuttgart, Germany, 16 June 2018 | tennis.com.au

Nick Kyrgios is into the Mercedes Cup semifinals in Stuttgart after overcoming Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in three tight sets.

The No.24-ranked Kyrgios posted a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over his No.33-ranked opponent, firing 20 aces in the 82-minute quarterfinal match.

Kyrgios only faced one break point on serve for the match, while Lopez faced two. One break in each set decided the match.

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Kyrgios now faces world No.2 Roger Federer in the semifinals.

They have met twice before, splitting results. Kyrgios won their first encounter on Madrid clay in 2015 in three tiebreak sets, before Federer reversed the result – also in three tiebreak sets – at Miami in 2017.

“We’ve had some brutal matches against each other,” Federer said of their history.

“He’s always dangerous, especially on the grass. I think I will enjoy playing against him.”

The match has extra significance for Federer, who can return to world No.1 with victory over Kyrgios. However if Federer loses, Rafael Nadal will maintain the top ranking throughout the grass season.

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