Indian Wells Open: Roger Federer advances to semifinals after Nick Kyrgios pulls out due to illness

New Delhi: Swiss legend Roger Federer advanced into Indian Wells Open semifinals after illness forced Nick Kyrgios to withdraw from today’s match at Indian Wells Open.

Kyrgios, who defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the quarterfinals, was set to face the Swiss marvel in the semi-finals.

However 40 minutes before the match, Kyrgios tweeted he will not be able to play Federer due to food poisoning.

He tweeted, 'I'm so sorry but I can't play @BNPPARIBASOPEN today.'
 

I'm so sorry but I can't play @BNPPARIBASOPEN today.pic.twitter.com/K5spWRgtLk — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 17, 2017

Federer was looking forward to playing the 21-year-old. In an interview, Federer said "I'm very impressed him taking out Novak, back-to-back weeks, on Novak's best surface. It goes a long way for all the players - not that he needed to prove his point - but I think now he has really arrived on the scene. He's beaten all the guys: Novak, myself, Rafa (Nadal). It's very impressive."

Kyrgios became the first player in 8 years to beat Djokovic in back to back three events on the hard surface.

Federer and Kyrgios have met just once previously at Madrid Masters in which the Australian shocked the Tennis world by defeating the Swiss legend. Kyrgios won 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(12).

Federer will play the winner of Jack Sock and Kei Nishikori in the 2nd semifinal.