5 biggest obstacles to a Fedal showdown at US Open 2017

#2 : Nick Kyrgios (Federer’s potential opponent in the 4th Round)

The ever so entertaining Nick Kyrgios at the Western & Southern Open

This potential match-up has awesomeness written all over it. While the 22-year old has faced the 36-year old only twice in his career (Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament before their slated tilt in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells earlier this year), we know he can give the Swiss maestro a lot of trouble.

The duo, in their 2 three-set face-offs, have produced 6 sets of mind-blowing tennis. This is how even the rivalry is: 2 matches, one-win each; 6 sets, 3-sets each; and the most incredible part, all their sets have gone to tie-breaks. You’re essentially looking at score-lines of 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 (for Kyrgios) and 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 for Federer.

This potential match-up could well be the change of guard in men’s tennis. What Roger Federer did in 2001 against Pete Sampras at Wimbledon, could well be on the cards here. Kyrgios has the game to upset Federer, but does he possess the temperament?

That will be the underlying storyline if the duo were to meet, but let’s not forget, a certain very temperamental Marat Safin once (in)famously broke down the machine-like calmness of Roger Federer at the Australian Open in 2005. A blockbuster showdown could well be on the cards here!