"My favorite match" - Nick Kyrgios fondly recalls thriller against Roger Federer at Miami Open 2017

Nick Kyrgios looked back on his Miami Open match against Roger Federer with great fondness, calling it his 'favorite match.' Federer won an absolute thriller in the semifinals of the 2017 Miami Open as the match was decided by three tie-breakers.

Both the first two sets went to 20 points in the respective tiebreaks, with Federer winning the first set and Kyrgios clinching the second. The Swiss tennis great then held his nerve when it mattered the most, winning 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5). He went on to win the title by beating Rafael Nadal in the final, thus also winning the Sunshine Double that season.

With the 2023 Miami Open currently in full swing, Kyrgios reflected on his epic clash with the 20-time Grand Slam champion six years ago.

"My favourite match," Nick Kygrios wrote on Instagram, sharing a video from the 2017 Miami Open semi-final.

Nick Kyrgios reacts to his 2017 Miami Open match against Roger Federer (Via Instagram).

Kyrgios and Federer faced each other seven times on tour. While Kyrgios won their first ever clash, another three-tiebreak thriller at the 2015 Madrid Open, the Swiss legend won all matches thereafter. Their only match at a Grand Slam tournament was at the 2018 US Open, where Federer won the third-round contest 6-4, 6-1, 7-5.

The Australian player is currently recovering from a knee injury that required him to undergo surgery after withdrawing from the Australian Open. Kyrgios is yet to play an official match this season.

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Nick Kyrgios ranked 4th most marketable athlete in Australia

Nick Kyrgios competes in an exhibition event ahead of the 2023 Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios placed fourth on a recent list of Australia's most marketable athletes, based on a survey conducted by Code Sports. Australian men's cricket team captain Pat Cummins topped the charts, followed by women's football superstar Matilda Sam Kerr and NBA star Josh Giddey, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Various factors were considered in formulating the list, including athletes' personal brands, audience and reach.

Kyrgios, who has not played since early October, expressed his intention last year to participate in the 2023 French Open. However, there is still no clarity on whether the Australian will play at any stage of the upcoming clay-court season. He did not enter his name in the draw for the Monte Carlo Masters beginning in early April. The 27-year-old has not played in the French Open since his second-round exit in the 2017 edition.